exist

verb

ex·​ist ig-ˈzist How to pronounce exist (audio)
existed; existing; exists

intransitive verb

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
2
: to continue to be
racism 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 Another Amish settlement existed in Burke's Garden from about 1990 to 1999. Sophie Carson, Journal Sentinel, 10 Mar. 2024 Limited liability corporations did exist back in the early nineteenth century, but were rare. Chris Dixon, Fortune, 10 Mar. 2024 That includes hitting benchmarks for speed, altitude, and interior volume that offer at least the same experience as its existing fleet. Basem Wasef, Robb Report, 10 Mar. 2024 Mistakes become injustices, and injustices do exist: the power exerted by referees, like that of any authority, can be, at times, deployed capriciously. Louisa Thomas, The New Yorker, 9 Mar. 2024 Still, little repercussions exist for the companies responsible for keeping customers safe. Samantha Murphy Kelly, CNN, 9 Mar. 2024 The lines still exist at the Doral location, which is a takeout-only venue, but Brazón’s dreams have only grown bigger — and so has the menu. Connie Ogle, Miami Herald, 8 Mar. 2024 Actually, there exists a magical, private Joe Biden that nobody other than his wife, his aides, and certain members of the media can see. Charles C. W. Cooke, National Review, 8 Mar. 2024 Even then, these people are not prohibited from donating blood long-term, just for two weeks after the vaccine, so there is no chance of live virus existing in their blood. Victoria Forster, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'exist.' 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 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

First Known Use

circa 1568, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of exist was circa 1568

Dictionary Entries Near exist

Cite this Entry

“Exist.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/exist. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

exist

verb
ex·​ist ig-ˈzist How to pronounce exist (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on exist

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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