existentialism

noun

ex·​is·​ten·​tial·​ism ˌeg-(ˌ)zi-ˈsten(t)-shə-ˌli-zəm 

ˌek-(ˌ)si-

: a chiefly 20th century philosophical movement embracing diverse doctrines but centering on analysis of individual existence in an unfathomable universe and the plight of the individual who must assume ultimate responsibility for acts of free will without any certain knowledge of what is right or wrong or good or bad

Examples of existentialism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Most of my Danish books are published by Gyldendal, the publishing house that published the fairy tales of Hans Christian Andersen and the existentialism of Søren Kirkegaard. —Anthony Demarco, Forbes, 6 Oct. 2024

Given the task of writing a song about molluscs and existentialism, a young singer works on her entry during a birthday party in this beautiful Argentine comedy from Inés Villanueva. —Zac Ntim, Deadline, 10 July 2024

For me, existentialism was the last great philosophical movement. —Sean Illing, Vox, 6 July 2024

Happily, that dark existentialism didn’t cloud the mood on set. —Caitlin Chatterton, CNN, 2 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

existential + -ism, in part as translation of German Existentialismus (or Existenzialismus) or French existentialisme

First Known Use

1941, in the meaning defined above