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

New York — The past several weeks have brought a rash of dire warnings about artificial intelligence posing existential risks to humanity. — Clare Duffy, CNN Money, 12 Oct. 2026

Cases of the week often extend into what feels like contemporary science-fiction, where the drastic implications of Big Tech’s overreach represent the existential threat to humanity they’re often feared (or touted) to be. — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 8 Oct. 2026

Moving between comedy, crime, romance and existential drama, The Arrow at Rest at Every Instant of its Flight takes inspiration from the energetic and experimental spirit of 1960s New Wave cinema. — Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 7 Oct. 2026

Abiy, who has described this as an existential issue for his country, was not specific but neighboring Eritrea’s Red Sea port of Assab has long been seen by some in the government as a possible prize. — Damian Zane, semafor.com, 7 Oct. 2026