as in empirical
based on observation or experience
child psychologist Bruno Bettelheim believed that fairy tales help children cope with their existential anxieties and dilemmas
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Recent Examples of existential
The present crisis also carries existential risks for general education, the part of college that requires students to take courses from across the curriculum.
—
Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 30 Mar. 2025
The regal yet intractable beast, named Apollo, immediately creates practical problems for Iris, from furniture destruction to eviction notices, as well as more existential ones.
—Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 28 Mar. 2025
There’s an existential challenge in Hollywood with TV production right now.
—John Hopewell, Variety, 28 Mar. 2025
This dehumanization is poignantly illustrated through the characters’ struggles with isolation and existential discontent.
—Benjamin Laker, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for existential
Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 30 Mar. 2025
The regal yet intractable beast, named Apollo, immediately creates practical problems for Iris, from furniture destruction to eviction notices, as well as more existential ones.
—Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 28 Mar. 2025
There’s an existential challenge in Hollywood with TV production right now.
—John Hopewell, Variety, 28 Mar. 2025
This dehumanization is poignantly illustrated through the characters’ struggles with isolation and existential discontent.
—Benjamin Laker, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for existential
Recent Examples of Synonyms for existential
Adjective
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In such moments, Howie’s technique is empirical and precise, a verbal cinematography of acute agitation.—
Joshua Dubler,
New York Times,
25 Mar. 2025
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While there are no national statistics tracking the nationalities of workers in the industry, our empirical studies and ongoing field research indicate that most of today’s workers are from Mexico and Guatemala.—
Kathleen Sexsmith,
The Conversation,
12 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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In addition to pausing enforcement to collect objective data, Dr. Makary could direct the FDA to allow, if not encourage, independent testing of compounded drugs to assure their quality.—
Arthur L. Kellermann,
Forbes.com,
27 Mar. 2025
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But by any objective measure, Gavi’s results have been extraordinary not only in terms of the projection of soft U.S. power, but also in terms of the preservation of the vital security interests of America and our allies.—
Seth Berkley,
Time,
27 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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The composer responded in part by transposing the eight-by-eight chessboard onto the keyboard, with eight octaves on the piano, and devised an experimental score that notates the movement of various chess pieces to given squares on the board.—
Mark Ellwood,
Robb Report,
29 Mar. 2025
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Throughout the day, an experimental duo of vehicle-to-load Polestar 2 prototypes also powered the grouping of huts and tipis, saunas, lights, heaters, and even a kitchen on the ice.—
Michael Teo Van Runkle,
Ars Technica,
25 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Existential.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/existential. Accessed 7 Apr. 2025.
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