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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of existential
Lawyers claimed the fight had turned existential with the measure threatening to decimate the profit margin of many personal injury cases and leave drivers with small or thorny cases unable to find an attorney willing to take their case.
—
Rebecca Ellis, Los Angeles Times, 18 June 2026
The question of what counts as a toy in real life more or less comes down to what a kid might want to play with, but in Toy Story, the matter is existential.
—Alison Willmore, Vulture, 18 June 2026
For many people, AI is bringing up their deepest, most existential fears.
—Nancy Colier, Baltimore Sun, 17 June 2026
The other four days are a grueling exercise in existential dread.
—Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 16 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for existential
Rebecca Ellis, Los Angeles Times, 18 June 2026
The question of what counts as a toy in real life more or less comes down to what a kid might want to play with, but in Toy Story, the matter is existential.
—Alison Willmore, Vulture, 18 June 2026
For many people, AI is bringing up their deepest, most existential fears.
—Nancy Colier, Baltimore Sun, 17 June 2026
The other four days are a grueling exercise in existential dread.
—Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 16 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for existential
Recent Examples of Synonyms for existential
Adjective
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Additional empirical evidence, including examination of the raccoon genome, is needed to know for sure.—
Shoshi Parks,
Popular Science,
10 June 2026
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However, despite popular anecdotal evidence that kratom can ease opioid addiction withdrawal symptoms, there is empirical evidence that kratom itself can become addictive.—
Scott Lafee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
2 June 2026
Adjective
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He is primarily focused on documentary cinema and observational filmmaking.—
Ed Meza,
Variety,
19 June 2026
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The observational research looked at people taking GLP-1 medications and found the drugs lowered levels of behaviors linked to violence.—
Stephanie Stahl,
CBS News,
18 June 2026
Adjective
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The assessment covered 36 objective criteria — ingredient quality, sugar type, caffeine content, vitamin levels, preservation methods, label honesty, and more.—
Nia Bowers,
USA Today,
18 June 2026
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Researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, have developed a sensor system designed to provide a more objective assessment.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
17 June 2026
Adjective
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The group’s commercial success in later years eclipsed the band’s experimental origins.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
17 June 2026
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As a member of the Kang Research Group, Moitri brings exceptional skill in experimental design, data analysis, and advanced biological research.—
Garfield Hylton,
The Orlando Sentinel,
17 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Existential.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/existential. Accessed 23 Jun. 2026.
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