existential
adjective
ex·is·ten·tial
ˌeg-(ˌ)zi-ˈsten(t)-shəl 
ˌek-(ˌ)si-
1
: of, relating to, or affirming existence
existential propositions
2
a
: grounded in existence or the experience of existence : empirical
b
: having being in time and space
3
existentially
adverb
Synonyms
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
An existential threat In early 2020, United’s leadership met to celebrate one of the company’s best years yet and discuss the next phase of growth.
—
Steven Norton, Forbes, 7 Jan. 2025
Since the collapse of the Soviet empire, the United States has not faced such an existential threat.
—Bilahari Kausikan, Foreign Affairs, 7 Jan. 2025
Mia Bloom, Professor of Communication and Middle East Studies, Georgia State University; International Security Fellow, New America
As Obama once said, ISIS was not an existential threat to Americans even at its height (compared to many countries in Europe).
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 3 Jan. 2025
Share [Findings] AI researchers determined that large language models pose no existential threat to humanity and created an AI algorithm that can detect scientific articles written by other AI algorithms.
—Rafil Kroll-Zaidi, Harper's Magazine, 2 Jan. 2025
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.
Steven Norton, Forbes, 7 Jan. 2025
Since the collapse of the Soviet empire, the United States has not faced such an existential threat.
—Bilahari Kausikan, Foreign Affairs, 7 Jan. 2025
Mia Bloom, Professor of Communication and Middle East Studies, Georgia State University; International Security Fellow, New America
As Obama once said, ISIS was not an existential threat to Americans even at its height (compared to many countries in Europe).
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 3 Jan. 2025
Share [Findings] AI researchers determined that large language models pose no existential threat to humanity and created an AI algorithm that can detect scientific articles written by other AI algorithms.
—Rafil Kroll-Zaidi, Harper's Magazine, 2 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for existential
Articles Related to existential
Dictionary Entries Near existential
Cite this Entry
“Existential.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/existential. Accessed 18 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share