exist

verb

Save Word

ex·ist | \ ig-ˈzist

existed; existing; exists

Definition of exist

intransitive verb

1a : 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

2 : to continue to be racism still exists in society

3a : 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

Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More About exist

Synonyms & Antonyms for exist

Synonyms

Antonyms

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. See More

Recent Examples on the Web Of the 750 copies kept from their first print run in 1623, only 234 are known to still exist today, with a majority being held in public collections. — Dana Givens, Robb Report, 21 July 2022 His Weibo and WeChat accounts still exist, but haven't been updated since early June. — Laura He, CNN, 21 July 2022 Those changes still exist in the new version hammered out between her and Lightfoot, but other provisions were softened. — Alice Yin, Chicago Tribune, 15 July 2022 The number of trees those organizations have reported planting, meanwhile, has increased by nearly 5,000 percent, although further information about these trees, including about how many of them still exist, is generally scant. — New York Times, 13 July 2022 Nearly 70,000 lead service lines still exist in the city, and estimates put the cost of replacing all the lead service lines in Milwaukee, on both public and private property, at hundreds of millions of dollars. — Mary Spicuzza, Journal Sentinel, 12 July 2022 Every business has its own methods of expediting B2B payment processing, but recurring issues related to payment delays and processing different forms of payment still exist. — Mara Garcia, Forbes, 12 July 2022 Although most closed their doors long ago, and none still exist to strip students of their identities, some still function as schools, albeit with drastically different missions that celebrate the cultural backgrounds of their Native students. — From Usa Today Network And Wire Reports, USA TODAY, 11 July 2022 Although most closed their doors long ago and none still exist to strip students of their identities, some still function as schools, albeit with drastically different missions that celebrate the cultural backgrounds of their Native students. — Sean Murphy, BostonGlobe.com, 9 July 2022 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'exist.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

History and Etymology for exist

borrowed from Middle French & Latin; Middle French exister, borrowed from Latin existere, exsistere "to come into view, appear, show oneself, come into being" (Late Latin, "to have real being, be, be present"), from ex- ex- entry 1 + sistere "to cause to stand, assume a standing position, place, check, halt" — more at assist entry 1