finitude

noun

fi·​ni·​tude ˈfī-nə-ˌtüd How to pronounce finitude (audio)
-ˌtyüd,
ˈfin-ə-
: finite quality or state

Examples of finitude in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web And so another urgent question is whether people can enjoy the storied reality of finitude after coming down from the high of fake infinity. Jaron Lanier, The New Yorker, 2 Feb. 2024 Technical culture often longs for freedom from finitude. Jaron Lanier, The New Yorker, 2 Feb. 2024 This second Marx recognizes capitalism’s limits and nature’s finitude. E. Tammy Kim, The New Yorker, 1 Feb. 2024 Ed’s tomb becomes a microcosm for the book, contrasting the finitude of mortal flesh with indications of a sweeping, bright, wider world. Daniel Felsenthal, The New Yorker, 19 Jan. 2024 The camera roll on your phone offers a similar promise, but creating a narrative with coherence depends on its finitude. Meghan O'Gieblyn, WIRED, 16 Aug. 2023 And after a few years during which we were all forced to confront the finitude of life, for many, the idea of grinding out a few more hours at the office lost its sheen. Simone Stolzoff, Quartz, 24 May 2023 But again, that sounds to me like someone who’s grateful and has an awareness of the finitude of things; that no one lives forever. Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 10 May 2023 All of us must live with a view to our finitude. L.s. Dugdale, STAT, 27 Nov. 2020

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

blend of finite and -tude, after infinitude

First Known Use

1644, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of finitude was in 1644

Dictionary Entries Near finitude

Cite this Entry

“Finitude.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/finitude. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

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