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
The Metroids are floating organisms that can drain other being's life force and thus pose an existential threat to the entire galaxy.
—
Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 1 May 2025
But could there be something more existential afoot?
—Andrew Ross Sorkin, New York Times, 1 May 2025
One very independent golden retriever had a brief, but hilarious, existential crisis in Central Park this week, in a moment that has gained viral attention online.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Apr. 2025
And just down the street is a stark reminder of the existential threat facing the librarians and programs.
—Ginny Monk, Hartford Courant, 25 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for existential
Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 1 May 2025
But could there be something more existential afoot?
—Andrew Ross Sorkin, New York Times, 1 May 2025
One very independent golden retriever had a brief, but hilarious, existential crisis in Central Park this week, in a moment that has gained viral attention online.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Apr. 2025
And just down the street is a stark reminder of the existential threat facing the librarians and programs.
—Ginny Monk, Hartford Courant, 25 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for existential
Recent Examples of Synonyms for existential
Adjective
-
These include: Evaluating The Effectiveness Of Self-Regulation Programs While there is enthusiasm around self-regulation, limited empirical research on its effectiveness means that the long-term impacts of some programs are not fully understood.—
Eric Reicin,
Forbes.com,
7 May 2025
-
But empirical research strongly refutes the idea that misinformation is simply in the eye of the beholder.—
Sander van der Linden,
Time,
6 May 2025
Adjective
-
Stop wasting taxpayer money trying to close and redevelop an airport that two independent, objective studies have concluded benefits the area and should remain open.—
Craig A. Raabe,
Hartford Courant,
16 May 2025
-
Efforts to politicize objective research on LGBTQ youth mental health are nothing new.—
Kevin Sabet,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 May 2025
Adjective
-
If so, Ian could qualify for a new experimental trial.—
Sarah Zhang,
The Atlantic,
16 May 2025
-
An integrative medicine doctor put me on a lot of experimental treatments for Borrelia burgdorferi, the Lyme disease bacteria, despite not showing any symptoms for the condition aside from my swollen knee.—
Suzy Katz,
Health,
16 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Existential.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/existential. Accessed 20 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share