existed; existing; exists
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
Without granting anonymity, articles such as this one could not exist.
—
Josh Robbins, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
With Gein, Murphy has produced a story that weighs in on an existing urgent conversation happening right now.
—Mathew Rodriguez, Them., 7 Oct. 2025
The first was the California Health Interview Survey, which has existed for decades.
—Daniel McFadin, Arkansas Online, 6 Oct. 2025
Stacey’s dogged dedication to existing in her truth is clearly going to grate further and further on the women as the season proceeds.
—Shamira Ibrahim, Vulture, 6 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for exist
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Josh Robbins, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
With Gein, Murphy has produced a story that weighs in on an existing urgent conversation happening right now.
—Mathew Rodriguez, Them., 7 Oct. 2025
The first was the California Health Interview Survey, which has existed for decades.
—Daniel McFadin, Arkansas Online, 6 Oct. 2025
Stacey’s dogged dedication to existing in her truth is clearly going to grate further and further on the women as the season proceeds.
—Shamira Ibrahim, Vulture, 6 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for exist
Cite this Entry
“Exist.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/exist. Accessed 7 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
exist
verb
ex·ist
ig-ˈzist 
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
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