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
Soon, though, Kiki faces an existential crisis that requires her to confront her inner doubts in order to get her powers back.
—
Chris Snellgrove, Entertainment Weekly, 24 Oct. 2025
In every one of these Thomas McGuane stories, something is going to be very wrong and yet probably hilarious—existential slapstick in ventriloquial voices with such precise language and restraint that his sentences will literally shine up off the page.
—Literary Hub, 23 Oct. 2025
David Adelman joined the Nuggets in the middle of a league-wide existential crisis in 2017.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 22 Oct. 2025
But while some amphibians face existential threats to their existence, others are being discovered for the very first time.
—Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 21 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for existential
Chris Snellgrove, Entertainment Weekly, 24 Oct. 2025
In every one of these Thomas McGuane stories, something is going to be very wrong and yet probably hilarious—existential slapstick in ventriloquial voices with such precise language and restraint that his sentences will literally shine up off the page.
—Literary Hub, 23 Oct. 2025
David Adelman joined the Nuggets in the middle of a league-wide existential crisis in 2017.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 22 Oct. 2025
But while some amphibians face existential threats to their existence, others are being discovered for the very first time.
—Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 21 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for existential
Recent Examples of Synonyms for existential
Adjective
-
Similar to finding that planets do not orbit the earth, the search for economics anomalies requires searching for empirical facts that cannot (easily) be explained using the standard economic model where everyone chooses by optimizing and makes no systematic mistakes.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
21 Oct. 2025
-
Developed over two years, the CCI aims to give brands an empirical readout of how social, search and site traffic activity correspond with real economic indicators, from consumer demand to share-price performance.—
Sandra Salibian,
Footwear News,
17 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Over the 80s, 90s, and 00s, those predictions were tested and confirmed, with inflation passing every observational test thus far.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
14 Oct. 2025
-
Known for his sharp, observational humor and love of cats, Kaszas currently releases 20-40 minutes of new, original stand-up material on his YouTube channel weekly.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
13 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
That same day, the moon will reach its first-quarter phase in Aquarius, reminding us to remain objective amidst the swirling intensity brought on by the sun’s journey through Scorpio.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
22 Oct. 2025
-
The role of the traditional dining critic is to present authentic, objective restaurant experiences to the public.—
Rachel Bernhard,
jsonline.com,
22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The museum also has an experimental concrete house designed by award-winning architect Dave Sellers that can be booked for stays.—
Megan Margulies,
Travel + Leisure,
24 Oct. 2025
-
The whole field was turning into an ideological battleground between proponents of experimental physics, which became known as Deutsche Physik, and theoretical physics, labeled Jüdische Physik.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
23 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Existential.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/existential. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share