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existential

adjective

ˌeg-(ˌ)zi-ˈsten(t)-shəl How to pronounce existential (audio)
Definition of existentialnext
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

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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 But whether such markets pose existential threats to traditional polling is an unsettled question. — W. Joseph Campbell, The Conversation, 22 Sep. 2026 In other words, damn the existential threat to humanity, full speed ahead! — Clarence Page, Chicago Tribune, 19 Sep. 2026 Harvie describes the race and his decision to run in almost existential terms. — ABC News, 19 Sep. 2026 Sheik’s influences ranged from Joni Mitchell and the Cocteau Twins to Estonian composer Arvo Pärt, while his lyrics drew on Buddhist philosophy and existential questions. — Spin Staff, SPIN, 18 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for existential
Recent Examples of Synonyms for existential
  1. empirical
  2. observational
  3. objective
  4. experimental
Adjective
  • Only 2 percent of global investments have gone to circular businesses, according to estimates in the Circularity Gap Report Finance in 2025, the world’s first empirical study that quantified the financial streams to circular business models.
    — Roy Stephen Canivel, Footwear News, 25 Sep. 2026
  • Researchers have hypothesized that quantum effects are at play in a variety of biological phenomena — including the magnetic sense that helps birds navigate and, more speculatively, human consciousness — with varying degrees of empirical support.
    — Elise Cutts, Quanta Magazine, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of empirical
Adjective
  • Its approach is spatial and observational, less interested in the ideological binary of left and right than in the vast, complicated country that lies between.
    — Matthew Carey, Deadline, 23 Sep. 2026
  • My company recently performed an observational analysis of millions of prompts and responses across all brands and product categories on the Azoma platform during Q2 2026.
    — Max Sinclair, Forbes.com, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of observational
Adjective
  • Use the objective points as ways to innovate on your idea and deliver a product that meets the needs of your audience.
    — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 25 Sep. 2026
  • Something else to consider is that teacher evaluation and student grades are not objective criteria.
    — Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of objective
Adjective
  • The key test was performed independently on two nominally identical devices, one at EPFL and one at the Weizmann Institute, using separate experimental setups.
    — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 27 Sep. 2026
  • New partnerships with Walmart , Best Buy , Gap and Shopify will expand what Muse can do autonomously, while new smart glasses, virtual-reality glasses and an experimental Muse Charm will give consumers more ways to interact with it.
    — Alexa LoMonaco, CNBC, 26 Sep. 2026
Definition of experimental

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Cite this Entry

“Existential.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/existential. Accessed 30 Sep. 2026.

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