existential

adjective

ex·is·ten·tial ˌeg-(ˌ)zi-ˈsten(t)-shəl

ˌek-(ˌ)si-

Synonyms of existential next

: of, relating to, or affirming existence

existential propositions

: grounded in existence or the experience of existence : empirical

: having being in time and space

: existentialist

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 Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has long contended that Iran, and its nuclear aspirations in particular, poses an existential threat to Israel. —

Laura King, Los Angeles Times, 8 Oct. 2024 The existential question of what this show is or will be thrums underneath the constant churn of crisis that Lorne attempts to manage: Will Belushi (Matt Wood) sign his contract? —

Katie Walsh, Twin Cities, 4 Oct. 2024 Daniela Forever is romantic sci-fi, but also existential horror, tragic but silly, intimate but funny. —

Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 2 Oct. 2024 The attendant fears of these advances today, from AI outpacing human capabilities to more existential risks, seem to reflect the pervasive mood that has historically accompanied the development of new technologies. —

Lauren Rosati, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for existential

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'existential.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

See more words from the same year