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
Salesforce has been trying to counter the prevailing market narrative that AI poses an existential threat to its business.
—
Natasha Abellard, CNBC, 28 May 2026
Policymakers should focus on encouraging innovation and responsible development, not embracing alarmist rhetoric that treats every new project as an existential threat.
—Ross Marchand, Baltimore Sun, 27 May 2026
In recent years, however, Groupon has faced existential struggles.
—Robert Channick, Chicago Tribune, 27 May 2026
In my experience, ChatGPT is still a pretty bad writer and can’t hack the existential risk involved in spitting out a compelling thesis.
—Jay Caspian Kang, New Yorker, 26 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for existential
Natasha Abellard, CNBC, 28 May 2026
Policymakers should focus on encouraging innovation and responsible development, not embracing alarmist rhetoric that treats every new project as an existential threat.
—Ross Marchand, Baltimore Sun, 27 May 2026
In recent years, however, Groupon has faced existential struggles.
—Robert Channick, Chicago Tribune, 27 May 2026
In my experience, ChatGPT is still a pretty bad writer and can’t hack the existential risk involved in spitting out a compelling thesis.
—Jay Caspian Kang, New Yorker, 26 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for existential
Recent Examples of Synonyms for existential
Adjective
-
The Empirical Research on Communication and Media Department focuses on empirical social research concerning media content, use, reception, and effects.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
26 May 2026
-
However, there was no empirical evidence directly demonstrating a clear link between temperature and koala mortality.—
Julia Jacobo,
ABC News,
26 May 2026
Adjective
-
But that’s made even worse by the fact that a significant portion of these observational studies did not even have a comparison group.—
Ian Miller OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
1 June 2026
-
The sensitivity of the gravitational wave detectors has only increased in recent years, with detections currently occurring as frequently as three to four times each week during observational run phases between down periods that allow further advancement of sensitivity.—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
1 June 2026
Adjective
-
That is why think their need to be some subjective analysis along with objective statistics.—
Mercury News Editorial Board,
Mercury News,
28 May 2026
-
This becomes evident when a generative AI search assistant presents statistically dominant viewpoints as objective truth while invisibilizing minority perspectives, emerging research, or culturally distinct forms of knowledge.—
Hamilton Mann,
Forbes.com,
27 May 2026
Adjective
-
Each is built to swap into any cocktail recipe — classic or experimental — at the same ratio as the full-proof version.—
Lauren Schuster,
Kansas City Star,
27 May 2026
-
Shelley says the work borders on an experimental sound installation.—
Christopher Smith,
Oc Register,
27 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Existential.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/existential. Accessed 2 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
