existed; existing; exists
1
a
: to have real being whether material or spiritual
did unicorns exist
the largest galaxy known to exist
b
: to have being in a specified place or with respect to understood limitations or conditions
strange ideas existed in his mind
2
: to continue to be
racism still exists in society
3
a
: to have life or the functions of vitality
we cannot exist without oxygen
b
: to live at an inferior level or under adverse circumstances
the hungry existing from day to day
Examples of exist in a Sentence
She believes that ghosts really do exist.
It's the largest galaxy known to exist.
Does life exist on Mars?
The Internet didn't exist then.
We shouldn't ignore the problems that exist in our own community.
Racism still exists in our society.
The organization may soon cease to exist if more funding isn't provided.
Recent Examples on the Web
So far the company’s existing driver assist features, known as Autopilot and Full Self-Driving, or FSD, are facing probes from federal safety regulators after a series of crashes involving the technology.
—
Cnn.com, The Mercury News, 7 Nov. 2024
While there are hundreds of adorable animals across the globe, Discover Magazine narrowed this list down to 20 of the cutest animals that exist today.
—Allison Futterman, Discover Magazine, 6 Nov. 2024
Currently, Goldman Sachs economics research is penciling in another four consecutive interest rate cuts in the first half of 2025 but also acknowledged in its Monday update that more uncertainty exists regarding the Fed's path next year.
—Susan Tompor, Detroit Free Press, 6 Nov. 2024
Furthermore, the global rules of the game have changed since 2017, when existing U.S. initiatives, coalitions, and institutions still had a lot of juice.
—Daniel W. Drezner, Foreign Affairs, 12 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for exist 
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.
Cnn.com, The Mercury News, 7 Nov. 2024
While there are hundreds of adorable animals across the globe, Discover Magazine narrowed this list down to 20 of the cutest animals that exist today.
—Allison Futterman, Discover Magazine, 6 Nov. 2024
Currently, Goldman Sachs economics research is penciling in another four consecutive interest rate cuts in the first half of 2025 but also acknowledged in its Monday update that more uncertainty exists regarding the Fed's path next year.
—Susan Tompor, Detroit Free Press, 6 Nov. 2024
Furthermore, the global rules of the game have changed since 2017, when existing U.S. initiatives, coalitions, and institutions still had a lot of juice.
—Daniel W. Drezner, Foreign Affairs, 12 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for exist
Dictionary Entries Near exist
Cite this Entry
“Exist.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/exist. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
exist
verb
ex·ist
ig-ˈzist 
1
: to have actual being : be real
do unicorns exist?
2
: to continue to be
as long as doubt exists
3
: to continue to live : stay alive
earned barely enough to exist on
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share