as in empirical
based on observation or experience
child psychologist Bruno Bettelheim believed that fairy tales help children cope with their existential anxieties and dilemmas
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of existential
The frontier’s closing, the unavailability of new lands, and the enclosure of national space by the border wall in the late twentieth century were existential crises.
—
The New Yorker, New Yorker, 23 Apr. 2025
Sometimes the pas de deux between light showbiz dramedy and weightier themes, from the existential threats facing the arts community to the imminence of extinction-level environmental catastrophes, can feel disproportionate.
—Judy Berman, Time, 23 Apr. 2025
Trump’s China tariffs remain an existential threat for Apple’s device sales.
—Kevin Stankiewicz,morgan Chittum, CNBC, 16 Apr. 2025
The case poses an existential threat to Meta, which by some estimates earns about half of its U.S. advertising revenue from Instagram, while also giving the public its first real measure of how strongly the new Trump administration will follow up on its promises to take on Big Tech.
—Jody Godoy, USA Today, 14 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for existential
The New Yorker, New Yorker, 23 Apr. 2025
Sometimes the pas de deux between light showbiz dramedy and weightier themes, from the existential threats facing the arts community to the imminence of extinction-level environmental catastrophes, can feel disproportionate.
—Judy Berman, Time, 23 Apr. 2025
Trump’s China tariffs remain an existential threat for Apple’s device sales.
—Kevin Stankiewicz,morgan Chittum, CNBC, 16 Apr. 2025
The case poses an existential threat to Meta, which by some estimates earns about half of its U.S. advertising revenue from Instagram, while also giving the public its first real measure of how strongly the new Trump administration will follow up on its promises to take on Big Tech.
—Jody Godoy, USA Today, 14 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for existential
Recent Examples of Synonyms for existential
Adjective
-
From there, the researchers could use empirical information that links elevated temperatures to economic damage.—
John Timmer,
ArsTechnica,
23 Apr. 2025
-
But critics’ arguments cannot weather empirical scrutiny.—
David B. McGarry,
Baltimore Sun,
21 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
The device also shouldn’t be used for people with objective tinnitus, which originates from the ear canal as opposed to the brain.—
Adrianna Rodriguez,
USA Today,
30 Apr. 2025
-
However, this does not influence his objective coverage.—
Dave Altavilla,
Forbes.com,
29 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
But then, Thompson received two injections of an experimental intervention— insulin.—
Discover Magazine,
Discover Magazine,
3 May 2025
-
Last fall, Boom applied patches of the material during testing of its experimental XB-1 to its underbelly.—
Michael Verdon,
Robb Report,
3 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Existential.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/existential. Accessed 9 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share