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
Over the last decade or so, AI has been pitched as everything from an existential threat to a potential industry savior.
—
Laura Clayton McDonnell, Forbes.com, 19 May 2025
Jerusalem views a nuclear-armed Tehran as an existential threat.
—Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 17 May 2025
But with a two-thirds majority in both houses, the presiding officers could expand the agenda to address the existential threat to local land-use planning in Florida, while preserving the good elements in SB 180.
—Paul Owens, The Orlando Sentinel, 16 May 2025
For many smaller operators, tariffs pose an existential threat that could allow big corporate rivals to expand their market shares, as the powerful U.S. Chamber of Commerce and independent shop owners themselves have warned.
—Steve Kopack, NBC news, 15 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for existential
Laura Clayton McDonnell, Forbes.com, 19 May 2025
Jerusalem views a nuclear-armed Tehran as an existential threat.
—Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 17 May 2025
But with a two-thirds majority in both houses, the presiding officers could expand the agenda to address the existential threat to local land-use planning in Florida, while preserving the good elements in SB 180.
—Paul Owens, The Orlando Sentinel, 16 May 2025
For many smaller operators, tariffs pose an existential threat that could allow big corporate rivals to expand their market shares, as the powerful U.S. Chamber of Commerce and independent shop owners themselves have warned.
—Steve Kopack, NBC news, 15 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for existential
Recent Examples of Synonyms for existential
Adjective
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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
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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
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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
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Efforts to politicize objective research on LGBTQ youth mental health are nothing new.—
Kevin Sabet,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 May 2025
Adjective
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If so, Ian could qualify for a new experimental trial.—
Sarah Zhang,
The Atlantic,
16 May 2025
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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 24 May. 2025.
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