Synonyms of existential

existential

adjective

ˌeg-(ˌ)zi-ˈsten(t)-shəl 

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

• empirical
• observational
• objective
• experimental
• experiential
• factual
• actual
• real
• genuine
• material
• undeniable
• indisputable
• accepted
• demonstrable
• established
• verifiable
• hard
• provable
• tried-and-true
• tried

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• theoretical
• hypothetical
• speculative
• conjectural
• nonempirical
• metaphysical
• unempirical
• unproven
• unsubstantiated
• visionary
• transcendentalist

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of existential

Users can explore spiritual answers to personal problems and existential questions at anytime, without the typical hurdles of connecting with an in-demand guru and paying for their services. — ABC News, 28 Aug. 2026

Extreme heat and persistent drought present serious, existential threats to California’s multi-billion dollar specialty crop industry. — Jonathan Destler, Fortune, 27 Aug. 2026

Amol Rajan, the BBC Radio 4 Today show presenter, has called for urgent action to save the UK national broadcaster from an existential emergency. — Jake Kanter, Deadline, 27 Aug. 2026

With three full-length albums in his rearview mirror, the Canadian singer-songwriter has surpassed 450 million global streams of his deeply pensive tracks chronicling universally existential themes. — Jonathan Borge, InStyle, 27 Aug. 2026