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
The film is a stop-motion animation feature that blends deadpan wit and surreal situations into a reflection on existential whiplash.
—
Leo Barraclough, Variety, 13 May 2026
Being middle class comes with a fear of losing a specific sense of safety; the existential quest is finding out if there’s more to life than clutching onto your stuff in anticipatory panic.
—Francesco Pacifico, The Dial, 12 May 2026
The lockout is an existential predicament for the industry because in many ways, baseball is enjoying a renaissance.
—Evan Drellich, New York Times, 12 May 2026
It might be said that a President, Abraham Lincoln, gave his life over that existential conflict.
—Time, 12 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for existential
Leo Barraclough, Variety, 13 May 2026
Being middle class comes with a fear of losing a specific sense of safety; the existential quest is finding out if there’s more to life than clutching onto your stuff in anticipatory panic.
—Francesco Pacifico, The Dial, 12 May 2026
The lockout is an existential predicament for the industry because in many ways, baseball is enjoying a renaissance.
—Evan Drellich, New York Times, 12 May 2026
It might be said that a President, Abraham Lincoln, gave his life over that existential conflict.
—Time, 12 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for existential
Recent Examples of Synonyms for existential
Adjective
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At best, empirical work in economics or management consulting could identify and address social problems rather than merely justify boss power.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
12 May 2026
-
Brosy says the empirical evidence from cities like Vancouver and Paris backs up that view.—
Trevor Laurence Jockims,
CNBC,
12 May 2026
Adjective
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The skits, which Barker writes with and acts in opposite Tomlinson, tend to involve an abrupt turn from observational comedy into darker or more surreal territory.—
Alex Barasch,
New Yorker,
11 May 2026
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This intimate drama blends elements of tragicomedy and an observational road movie.—
Leo Barraclough,
Variety,
6 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
-
As of December, Collins was getting experimental treatment in Singapore.—
Caroline Blair,
PEOPLE,
13 May 2026
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Her cancer returned in late March, after showing no growth on the experimental daraxonrasib pill for 13 months.—
Yuki Noguchi,
NPR,
12 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Existential.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/existential. Accessed 19 May. 2026.
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