existent

adjective

ex·​is·​tent ig-ˈzi-stənt How to pronounce existent (audio)
Synonyms of existentnext
1
: having being : existing
2
: existing now : present
existent methods of flood control
existent noun

Examples of existent in a Sentence

I think we should improve existent parks rather than create new ones. to some people, angels are as existent as aardvarks or astronomers
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Criminals posing as technology support representatives who offer to fix non-existent computer issues. Davey Winder, Forbes.com, 16 May 2026 But what Takatsu didn’t realize, and many others wouldn’t know until Murakami inked his paltry, 2-year, $34 million contract with those White Sox, was that the market for him had been nearly non-existent. Sam Blum, New York Times, 13 May 2026 Raise Your Beds Don't have room for flower beds in your itsy-bitsy or rather non-existent front yard? Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 6 May 2026 It must be said that the political opposition in El Salvador was close to non-existent, and Bukele had no trouble leaving it light years behind. Óscar Martínez, The Dial, 30 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for existent

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Middle French & Late Latin; Middle French, borrowed from Late Latin existent-, existens/exsistent-, exsistens, from present participle of Latin existere, exsistere "to come into view, appear, show oneself, come into being" (Late Latin, "to have real being, be, be present") — more at exist

First Known Use

1535, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of existent was in 1535

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Existent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/existent. Accessed 20 May. 2026.

Kids Definition

existent

adjective
ex·​ist·​ent
ig-ˈzis-tənt
1
: having being
2
: existing now : extant

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