existing 1 of 2

Definition of existingnext
as in extant
having being at the present time existing breeds of the turkey that graces our Thanksgiving table are said to bear little resemblance to the gamy birds that the Pilgrims enjoyed

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

existing

2 of 2

verb

present participle of exist

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 existing
Adjective
The ongoing war has added to the pre-existing strain on the country’s health sector and the population as a whole. Callum Sutherland, Time, 10 Apr. 2026 The idea was that the government needed the ability to step in to meet short-term needs when existing regulations failed to do so. Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 9 Apr. 2026 This is a change from the pre-existing mandate of self-registration into the Selective Service System (SSS) — the government agency that maintains a database of men to be called up to serve in the case of a national emergency. Meredith Kile, PEOPLE, 9 Apr. 2026 Eco efforts For eco effort, Architect Tomoyuki Sakakida preferred to use pre-existing materials, and tried to steer away from more extractive mining and quarrying methods. Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 Apr. 2026 The new galleries will be located next to the Brooklyn Museum’s pre-existing Beaux-Arts Court, and the inaugural installation is planned to flow into the museum’s Egyptian art galleries. News Desk, Artforum, 3 Apr. 2026 Look for policies with medical coverage that accounts for any pre-existing conditions. Lauren Schuster, Kansas City Star, 3 Apr. 2026 The two-tone speed machine utilized a lot of pre-existing hardware but did feature an all-new chassis and composite bodywork, made from a mixture of carbon fiber and Kevlar. Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 2 Apr. 2026 Nix said himself that the timetable for rehabbing his ankle — four to six weeks — wouldn’t interfere with his pre-existing plans for offseason training. Luca Evans, Denver Post, 30 Mar. 2026
Verb
The vote will keep the existing 1% earnings tax in place, not add a new tax. Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 8 Apr. 2026 That backlog has become a go-to argument for opposition lawmakers who question why additional spending is being pushed before existing orders arrive. Wayne Chang, CNN Money, 7 Apr. 2026 The series highlights systemic inequities and the government’s failures, revealing how the storm exacerbated existing social injustices while providing a platform for local voices to reclaim their story and share resilience, grief, and wisdom for future generations. Brande Victorian, HollywoodReporter, 7 Apr. 2026 Even modest differences in compliance costs can influence where new facilities are built or existing operations expand. John Cleveland, Boston Herald, 7 Apr. 2026 The existing 203-acre park, located at 10512 Idlewild Road, already includes ballfields, playgrounds, picnic shelters, a disc golf course and access to the Irvins Creek Greenway. Mary Ramsey april 7, Charlotte Observer, 7 Apr. 2026 The ordinances would create a licensing framework, update zoning regulations, revise health standards and add exceptions to existing indecency laws. Eric Henderson, CBS News, 7 Apr. 2026 The transfer portal works both ways — and bringing in a crop of new players can have the effect of pushing out existing players. Andrew Greif, NBC news, 7 Apr. 2026 The Wi-Fi 7 standard builds on these (and other) existing Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6E technologies, while bringing a few new technologies into the fold. Iyaz Akhtar, PC Magazine, 31 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for existing
Adjective
  • The Baburnama survives in incomplete form, with parts of Babur’s early life and sections of the narrative no longer extant.
    Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 Apr. 2026
  • The restoration was made using extant materials from 1968, including a 35mm release print preserved at the Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film archive and a 35mm release print preserved and scanned at the BFI National Archive.
    Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 1 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • They got involved trapping the colony of feral cats living behind the strip mall the vet office was located in.
    Amanda Rosa April 9, Miami Herald, 9 Apr. 2026
  • All in a place where people are living atop vast deposits of coal, oil and gas.
    ABC News, ABC News, 9 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Their pass rush right now is almost non-existent among edge rushers such as Chop Robinson, Josh Uche, David Ojabo and Derrick McLendon.
    Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 7 Apr. 2026
  • The fear that people might vote twice is unfounded, would be quickly discovered, and thus is non-existent.
    U T Readers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Existing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/existing. Accessed 15 Apr. 2026.

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