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
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
One very independent golden retriever had a brief, but hilarious, existential crisis in Central Park this week, in a moment that has gained viral attention online.
—
Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Apr. 2025
And just down the street is a stark reminder of the existential threat facing the librarians and programs.
—Ginny Monk, Hartford Courant, 25 Apr. 2025
But the horrors of Jallianwala Bagh create an existential crisis, and a freedom fighter in a black coat is born.
—Anupama Chopra, HollywoodReporter, 24 Apr. 2025
The company faces an existential threat despite producing some of the most competitive EVs on the market.
—Charles Singh, USA Today, 24 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for existential
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.
Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Apr. 2025
And just down the street is a stark reminder of the existential threat facing the librarians and programs.
—Ginny Monk, Hartford Courant, 25 Apr. 2025
But the horrors of Jallianwala Bagh create an existential crisis, and a freedom fighter in a black coat is born.
—Anupama Chopra, HollywoodReporter, 24 Apr. 2025
The company faces an existential threat despite producing some of the most competitive EVs on the market.
—Charles Singh, USA Today, 24 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for existential
Cite this Entry
“Existential.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/existential. Accessed 29 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share