existed; existing; exists
1
a
: to have real being whether material or spiritual
did unicorns exist
the largest galaxy known to exist
b
: to have being in a specified place or with respect to understood limitations or conditions
Strange ideas existed in his mind.
problems that exist in our own community
2
: to continue to be
Inequality still exists in society.
3
a
: to have life or the functions of vitality
We cannot exist without oxygen.
b
: to live at an inferior level or under adverse circumstances
the hungry existing from day to day
Examples of exist in a Sentence
She believes that ghosts really do exist.
It's the largest galaxy known to exist.
Does life exist on Mars?
The Internet didn't exist then.
We shouldn't ignore the problems that exist in our own community.
Racism still exists in our society.
The organization may soon cease to exist if more funding isn't provided.
Recent Examples on the Web
This oil can be upgraded into fuels or converted into bio-graphite using existing refinery equipment.
—
Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 26 Mar. 2026
Even if giant, enormous voids with no stars and galaxies in them at all did exist, this structure couldn’t possibly be one of those.
—Big Think, 26 Mar. 2026
For many now, the bridge exists more in stories passed down by friends and family than in lived experience.
—Johane Saintil, Miami Herald, 26 Mar. 2026
While the hero existed — as did Athos, Porthos, and Aramis, or at least musketeers with similar names — most of the actual stories are invented, either by the sensationalist biographer or Dumas himself.
—Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 26 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for exist
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Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 26 Mar. 2026
Even if giant, enormous voids with no stars and galaxies in them at all did exist, this structure couldn’t possibly be one of those.
—Big Think, 26 Mar. 2026
For many now, the bridge exists more in stories passed down by friends and family than in lived experience.
—Johane Saintil, Miami Herald, 26 Mar. 2026
While the hero existed — as did Athos, Porthos, and Aramis, or at least musketeers with similar names — most of the actual stories are invented, either by the sensationalist biographer or Dumas himself.
—Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 26 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for exist
Cite this Entry
“Exist.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/exist. Accessed 26 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
exist
verb
ex·ist
ig-ˈzist 
1
: to have actual being : be real
do unicorns exist?
2
: to continue to be
as long as doubt exists
3
: to continue to live : stay alive
earned barely enough to exist on
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