nihilistic delusion

9.9

A false belief that nothing is real, even yourself

noun
/ˌnaɪəˈlɪstɪk dɪˈluːʒən/

Specialized

: delirio nihilista

The patient was suffering from a nihilistic delusion, insisting that he did not exist.

Examples

In severe depression, a nihilistic delusion may manifest as the belief that the world itself is not real.
His nihilistic delusion made him question the reality of his existence.
Cases of nihilistic delusion are commonly reported in certain types of psychotic disorders.
Many artists explore the theme of nihilistic delusions in their work.
The patient was suffering from a nihilistic delusion, insisting that he did not exist.
In severe depression, a nihilistic delusion may manifest as the belief that the world itself is not real.
His nihilistic delusion made him question the reality of his existence.

Synonyms

delusion

vsnihilistic delusion

199 6.7

A strong false belief that someone still has even when it is not true

refers to the subtype that insists things or reality do not exist

Antonyms

reality

∞ 1.4

The way things really are, not how we imagine or wish

existence

838 2.8

The state of being real or alive

Surface Forms

nihilistic delusion singular

nihilistic delusions plural

Morphology

nihilistic + delusion

The noun phrase is transparently compositional: 'nihilistic' (relating to belief that life/values do not exist or matter) modifies 'delusion' (a false belief), yielding a delusion with nihilistic content. This adjective+noun pattern directly conveys the intended meaning and is cross-linguistically regular, so a learner who knows both words can infer the MWE meaning.

Etymology

The phrase nihilistic delusion mixes nihilistic (about 'nothing') and delusion (a false belief). Picture someone who feels the world and even themselves are gone. That strong image explains why the term means 'believing things are not real'.