existential
adjective
ex·is·ten·tial ˌeg-(ˌ)zi-ˈsten(t)-shəl 
ˌek-(ˌ)si-
1
: of, relating to, or affirming existence
existential propositions
an existential crisis
the existential threat of climate change
2
a
: grounded in existence or the experience of existence : empirical
existential phenomenology
b
: having being in time and space
… abstractions, ideal gauges without claim to existential reality …—
W. Wolfgang Holdheim
W. Wolfgang Holdheim
3
: concerned with or involving human existence or its nature : existentialist
an existential novel
existentially adverb
Synonyms of existential
Examples of existential in a Sentence
child psychologist Bruno Bettelheim believed that fairy tales help children cope with their existential anxieties and dilemmas
Recent Examples on the Web
With its stark staging, this Salesman also feels more like an existential, rather than particularly American, tragedy. —The Week Us, TheWeek, 21 Apr. 2026 In the midst of a conflict seen as posing an existential threat to the regime that has ruled their country for nearly half a century, Khamenei has been conspicuously absent. —Mostafa Salem, CNN Money, 21 Apr. 2026 Today’s valiant companies, by contrast, make existential, geopolitically impactful products like AI missiles. —Simon Denny, Artforum, 20 Apr. 2026 During the filming of Life on Earth, mountain gorillas were facing an existential threat from poaching and habitat loss. —Olivia Morelli, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for existential
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.
The Week Us, TheWeek, 21 Apr. 2026 In the midst of a conflict seen as posing an existential threat to the regime that has ruled their country for nearly half a century, Khamenei has been conspicuously absent. —Mostafa Salem, CNN Money, 21 Apr. 2026 Today’s valiant companies, by contrast, make existential, geopolitically impactful products like AI missiles. —Simon Denny, Artforum, 20 Apr. 2026 During the filming of Life on Earth, mountain gorillas were facing an existential threat from poaching and habitat loss. —Olivia Morelli, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for existential
Cite this Entry
“Existential.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.grautoblog.com/dictionary/existential. Accessed 27 Apr. 2026.
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