existential
adjective
ex·is·ten·tial
ˌeg-(ˌ)zi-ˈsten(t)-shəl 
ˌek-(ˌ)si-
1
: of, relating to, or affirming existence
existential propositions
2
a
: grounded in existence or the experience of existence : empirical
b
: having being in time and space
3
existentially
adverb
Synonyms
Examples of existential in a Sentence
child psychologist Bruno Bettelheim believed that fairy tales help children cope with their existential anxieties and dilemmas
Recent Examples on the Web
By James Parker Editor’s Note: Every Tuesday, James Parker tackles a reader’s existential worry.
—
James Parker, The Atlantic, 22 Oct. 2024
Amid the rapid development of AI tools, news publishers have argued that the scraping of their reporting without permission or compensation to train chatbot models presents an existential threat to their business.
—Liam Reilly, CNN, 21 Oct. 2024
Italy’s car industry faces an existential threat if manufacturers led by Stellantis NV don’t reverse a trend of declining production in the country, according to an automotive trade group.
—Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune Europe, 18 Oct. 2024
Hulu 'Shaun of the Dead' (2004) Edgar Wright's beloved breakthrough zombie comedy puts a daft spin on an undead apocalypse, with Simon Pegg and Nick Frost as loyal best friends ill-prepared for normal everyday life, much less an existential emergency.
—Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, 17 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for existential 
James Parker, The Atlantic, 22 Oct. 2024
Amid the rapid development of AI tools, news publishers have argued that the scraping of their reporting without permission or compensation to train chatbot models presents an existential threat to their business.
—Liam Reilly, CNN, 21 Oct. 2024
Italy’s car industry faces an existential threat if manufacturers led by Stellantis NV don’t reverse a trend of declining production in the country, according to an automotive trade group.
—Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune Europe, 18 Oct. 2024
Hulu 'Shaun of the Dead' (2004) Edgar Wright's beloved breakthrough zombie comedy puts a daft spin on an undead apocalypse, with Simon Pegg and Nick Frost as loyal best friends ill-prepared for normal everyday life, much less an existential emergency.
—Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, 17 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for existential
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'existential.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Articles Related to existential
Dictionary Entries Near existential
Cite this Entry
“Existential.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/existential. Accessed 4 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share