How does one refute nihilism?

Philosophical questions are not like other questions. Answering takes a lot of reflection, study, time and patience. Remember: as a general rule the simpler the question the harder it is to explain or resolve. The architect can teach his student how to build a skyscraper, but not how to lift his hand to grasp the hammer. That is why most questions in this category are raised by young people but helpfully addressed, if at all well, by those with experience. Aristotle suggested that before the age of 30 no one should even study philosophy, but nothing can stop the questions from occurring. So when you ask such a question it's important to be realistic about what can be accomplished in the short run. Remember, too, that what is most important is not the answer but our ability to abide with the question, what the poet John Keats termed "negative capability." That term, "negative capability," is curiously ambiguous, for while on the surface it denotes our ability to suspend judgment while we ponder, in another sense it can direct our attention to the idea of the negative, which is associated with nihilism. Approaching this field it is very important to be clear about your words and your meaning. Grasping the point or sense of your question may get you pretty far along in your journey. Sometimes we need to step back and ask, "What is the question BEHIND my question?" That is, what do I really want here? Can I put it in simpler terms? Another thing to keep in mind is that philosophers and poets have been struggling with such issues and ideas for thousands of years, and unless we want to try to re-invent the wheel, it might behoove us to seek out the relevant classical writings rather than fashion our own home-made nostrums. Do you understand? Finally, notice you don't ask what "nihilism" is, nor do you define what you mean by it. Without doing that, anyone attempting to respond to your question runs the risk of operating at cross purposes with you the inquirer. Notice, also, that you seem to assume that "nihilism" is something we want to "refute." Why would we want to do that? You need to go back to the drawing board and try to figure out what you are seeking in your act of questioning. Otherwise you'll have to rely on the cheap and easy slogans and canned strings of words people will throw at you when you speak like this. Perhaps one question behind your question is, "who am I, what is important, and how shall I live?" Ultimately, you are quarrying for self-knowledge, and that is a good thing. Just remember to abide faithfully with your question. It means more than all the quick answers you'll meet put together.