existentialism

noun

ex·​is·​ten·​tial·​ism ˌeg-(ˌ)zi-ˈsten(t)-shə-ˌli-zəm 

ˌek-(ˌ)si-

: a chiefly 20th century philosophical movement embracing diverse doctrines but centering on analysis of individual existence in an unfathomable universe and the plight of the individual who must assume ultimate responsibility for acts of free will without any certain knowledge of what is right or wrong or good or bad

Examples of existentialism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Neither Winter nor Reeves cares much if audiences buy tickets expecting more Bill and Ted good times, only to be confronted with Beckett’s nagging existentialism instead. —Brent Lang, Variety, 1 Oct. 2025

Both existentialism and absurdism have their appeal and are represented by very cool intellectuals. —Big Think, 25 Sep. 2025

Feminism, existentialism, socialism, and humanism. —Zadie Smith, New Yorker, 22 Sep. 2025

The two Alien entries of the 2010s, Prometheus and Alien: Covenant, showed off director Ridley Scott and his collaborators’ attempts to expand the mythology of the Alien universe and test out its maximum capacity for lore and themes of creation and existentialism. —Daniel Dockery, Vulture, 22 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

existential + -ism, in part as translation of German Existentialismus (or Existenzialismus) or French existentialisme

First Known Use

1941, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for existentialism

• absolutism
• adventurism
• aestheticism
• africanism
• agnosticism
• alcoholism
• anabolism
• anachronism
• anglicanism
• antagonism
• arianism
• asceticism