existential

adjective

ex·​is·​ten·​tial ˌeg-(ˌ)zi-ˈsten(t)-shəl How to pronounce existential (audio)
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
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.
Having so much stuff only heightened my existential crisis of bringing my kids into a massive climate disaster. Beth Ann Mayer, Parents, 8 May 2025 The moment of existential uncertainty is just enough time for Ghorman leader Carro Rylanz (Richard Sammel), who had previously welcomed Syril into the rebels’ inner circles, to shoot him. Jordan Moreau, Variety, 7 May 2025 Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribal Colleges, and institutions serving predominantly low-income students could face existential threats if their graduate programs become unaffordable to their traditional student populations. Scott White, Forbes.com, 7 May 2025 How to prepare for an earthquake disaster Huge earthquakes have long been an existential crisis for millions along the West Coast, as documented in a 2022 USA TODAY report. Joel Shannon, USA Today, 2 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for existential

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Late Latin existentiālis, exsistentiālis, from existentia, exsistentia existence + Latin -ālis -al entry 1; in the 19th and 20th centuries in part as translation of Danish existentiel (later eksistentiel) & German existentiell

Note: Compare "Existentielt Indlæg" ("existential contribution") in the subtitle of Søren Kierkegaard's Afsluttende uvidenskabelig Efterskrift til de philosophiske Smuler (1846; Concluding Unscientific Postscript to the Philosophical Fragments), used also elsewhere in the work.

First Known Use

1656, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of existential was in 1656

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Cite this Entry

“Existential.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/existential. Accessed 13 May. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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