existential
adjective
ex·is·ten·tial
ˌeg-(ˌ)zi-ˈsten(t)-shəl 
ˌek-(ˌ)si-
1
: of, relating to, or affirming existence
existential propositions
an existential crisis
the existential threat of climate change
2
a
: grounded in existence or the experience of existence : empirical
existential phenomenology
b
: having being in time and space
… abstractions, ideal gauges without claim to existential reality …—
W. Wolfgang Holdheim
W. Wolfgang Holdheim3
: concerned with or involving human existence or its nature : existentialist
an existential novel
existentially
adverb
Synonyms of existential
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
Horror fiction cancels out our IOUs of existential dread.
—Literary Hub, 13 Mar. 2026
Ragusa’s paintings explore opulence, yet evoke a kind of existential angst, while Brown’s work reclaims the symbols that haunt our nightmares, turning fear into empowerment.
—Anya Sesay, jsonline.com, 13 Mar. 2026
Historians note that the program emerged during a period when Israeli leaders feared the young state could face existential threats from surrounding countries.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 13 Mar. 2026
Depending on the viewer, the video elicited either admiration, outrage or existential hand-wringing.
—Holly Willis, The Conversation, 13 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for existential
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Literary Hub, 13 Mar. 2026
Ragusa’s paintings explore opulence, yet evoke a kind of existential angst, while Brown’s work reclaims the symbols that haunt our nightmares, turning fear into empowerment.
—Anya Sesay, jsonline.com, 13 Mar. 2026
Historians note that the program emerged during a period when Israeli leaders feared the young state could face existential threats from surrounding countries.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 13 Mar. 2026
Depending on the viewer, the video elicited either admiration, outrage or existential hand-wringing.
—Holly Willis, The Conversation, 13 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for existential
Cite this Entry
“Existential.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/existential. Accessed 20 Mar. 2026.
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