non·ex·is·tence | \ ˌnän-ig-ˈzi-stən(t)s 
\
\Definition of nonexistence
: absence of existence : the negation of being
Examples of nonexistence in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web In many cases, these objections are based on misunderstandings; evolutionary theory does not prove the nonexistence of God.
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Naomi Oreskes, Scientific American, "The False Logic behind Science Denial," 1 Aug. 2020 The fear of literal nonexistence through death is addressed by many philosophical and religious traditions.
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Arthur C. Brooks, The Atlantic, "Don’t Fear the (Career) Reaper," 4 June 2020 However, directly proving its nonexistence was too difficult.
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Quanta Magazine, "The ‘Useless’ Perspective That Transformed Mathematics," 9 June 2020 According to the Cambridge University philosopher Stephen Cave, the fear of death is an innate fear of nonexistence.
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Arthur C. Brooks, The Atlantic, "Don’t Fear the (Career) Reaper," 4 June 2020 And what should such existence or nonexistence actually mean for us here on earth?
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Christopher Beha, Harper's Magazine, "Difficulties Everywhere," 27 Apr. 2020 The nonexistence of any such relationship is among the agonies that torment him.
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Richard Brody, The New Yorker, "“Joker” Is a Viewing Experience of Rare, Numbing Emptiness," 3 Oct. 2019 That, though, was a lyrical and oblique work that heard the abyss of nonexistence roaring within long silences.
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Ben Brantley, New York Times, "‘Linda Vista’ Review: A Womanizer Who Devastates as He Charms," 10 Oct. 2019 Even with just a fraction of the investment, the Netherlands has launched its women’s team from nonexistence to almost-World-Cup-champions in little more than a decade.
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Maggie Mertens, The Atlantic, "The U.S. Women’s Soccer Team Deserves More Than a Trophy," 7 July 2019
See MoreThese example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'nonexistence.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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The first known use of nonexistence was in 1646
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