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 Robot Dreams, by Pablo Berger, shows Pixar how to do animation for thinking adults — a poignant meditation on partnership and existential love. —

Armond White, National Review, 12 July 2024 Bayley sought to juxtapose the personal songwriting with existential sonics, and sought inspiration in the cosmos. —

Thomas Smith, Billboard, 12 July 2024 Regardless, since Arizonans already exist at the edge of survivable summer temperatures, any extra warming can become an existential threat. —

Joan Meiners, The Arizona Republic, 10 July 2024 From renewal news to whether Bryan Cranston plans to return, here's what to know about the drama Your Honor, the Showtime drama series, is a whirlwind of moral dilemma, existential woes and strife for justice with Bryan Cranston leading the charge as Judge Michael Desiato. —

Maddie Garfinkle, Peoplemag, 10 July 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