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
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Recent Examples of existential
Ryland gradually remembers that Hüller's character Eva, who heads an international task force dedicated to solving an existential crisis in space that threatens the survival of life on Earth, brought him on to the movie's titular project and eventually forced him into space to complete the mission.
—
Tommy McArdle, PEOPLE, 20 May 2026
On top of all that angst is the assertion that AI is an existential risk to humankind.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 20 May 2026
Now, each of the largest technology companies is racing to win what amounts to an existential arms race.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 19 May 2026
Forced to confront this web of lies, Kanan faced an existential crisis of self-discovery and emerged stronger and more resolute than ever.
—Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 19 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for existential
Tommy McArdle, PEOPLE, 20 May 2026
On top of all that angst is the assertion that AI is an existential risk to humankind.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 20 May 2026
Now, each of the largest technology companies is racing to win what amounts to an existential arms race.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 19 May 2026
Forced to confront this web of lies, Kanan faced an existential crisis of self-discovery and emerged stronger and more resolute than ever.
—Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 19 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for existential
Recent Examples of Synonyms for existential
Adjective
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Many empirical research studies showcase how far this anger has become.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
20 May 2026
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There is no empirical data to suggest that the San Diego program will succeed where others have failed.—
Harvey Levine,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
19 May 2026
Adjective
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But the performances, and Maurel’s observational eye, keep it compelling even in its messier stretches.—
Murtada Elfadl,
Variety,
25 May 2026
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In one observational study, 88 people who had gone to a clinic in Mexico between 2012 and 2015 filled out a survey.—
Shayla Love,
The Atlantic,
24 May 2026
Adjective
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But credentialed journalists doing fair, objective reporting are not the enemy.—
Amber Harding OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
14 May 2026
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This loss would negatively impact subjective and objective outcomes.—
Steve D. Klein,
STAT,
14 May 2026
Adjective
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Joining Busta on this year’s line-up of speakers, panelists, and songwriting-camp participants are the experimental R&B vocalist serpentwithfeet, Flatbush Zombies‘ Erick the Architect, and Brooklyn indie act Pom Pom Squad, plus 200 or so other writers, producers, and performers.—
Brian Hiatt,
Rolling Stone,
20 May 2026
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As part of the agreement, Incyte’s proprietary experimental data will be used to train Genesis’s foundation model to increase its capabilities.—
Amy Feldman,
Forbes.com,
20 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Existential.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/existential. Accessed 26 May. 2026.
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