élan vital

Definition of élan vitalnext

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of élan vital And a mention that Victor was a big believer in the philosophical concept of elan vital, the idea that all organic material holds an intangible force willing it into being. Christopher Borrelli, Chicago Tribune, 18 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for élan vital
Noun
  • Chilling moments like this are the lifeblood of The Dreamed Adventure, the moments that recall the pitiful last days of the dying communist era and the violent, mafia-style economics that whooshed in to replace them.
    Damon Wise, Deadline, 22 May 2026
  • As the name suggests, coal was once the lifeblood of Coalville.
    David Condos, NPR, 19 May 2026
Noun
  • Brother Lawrence Washington’s military service doubtless turned George’s British empires eyes in that direction, yet the temporary nature of Lawrence’s service gave George little more than a taste of what a life at arms entailed.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 20 May 2026
  • Furniture, pets, and the residents themselves infuse the images with both ambiguity and meaning, creating a rich mosaic of city life across ages, backgrounds, and boroughs.
    The New Yorker, New Yorker, 20 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“élan vital.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/%C3%A9lan%20vital. Accessed 25 May. 2026.

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