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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Recent Examples of existential
And unfortunately, climate rarely seems to rank high on the list, despite its importance to voters — and the existential threat posed by rising temperatures.
—
Sammy Roth, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2025
Now, with California under attack from our federal government, sheriffs have become an existential threat to our state’s democracy and rule of law.
—Joe Mathews, The Mercury News, 14 Mar. 2025
But despite the apprehensions, other leaders avoid the language of superintelligence and existential risk, focusing instead on the positive upside.
—Tharin Pillay, TIME, 13 Mar. 2025
Poll findings in the past month from KIIS reveal that 66% of Ukrainians interpret Russia’s war aims as an existential threat, comprising genocide against Ukrainians and destruction of its independent statehood.
—Gerard Toal, The Conversation, 13 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for existential
Sammy Roth, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2025
Now, with California under attack from our federal government, sheriffs have become an existential threat to our state’s democracy and rule of law.
—Joe Mathews, The Mercury News, 14 Mar. 2025
But despite the apprehensions, other leaders avoid the language of superintelligence and existential risk, focusing instead on the positive upside.
—Tharin Pillay, TIME, 13 Mar. 2025
Poll findings in the past month from KIIS reveal that 66% of Ukrainians interpret Russia’s war aims as an existential threat, comprising genocide against Ukrainians and destruction of its independent statehood.
—Gerard Toal, The Conversation, 13 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for existential
Recent Examples of Synonyms for existential
Adjective
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This provided empirical evidence for legal realism, the theory that judges don't simply apply legal rules mechanically but are influenced by a variety of extralegal factors including emotions, social context and their own sense of justice.—
Lars Daniel,
Forbes,
20 Mar. 2025
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Serano and other pro-LGBTQ organizations have also highlighted the lack of empirical evidence supporting AGP as a clinical concept.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
19 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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In addition to pausing enforcement to collect objective data, Dr. Makary could direct the FDA to allow, if not encourage, independent testing of compounded drugs to assure their quality.—
Arthur L. Kellermann,
Forbes.com,
27 Mar. 2025
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But by any objective measure, Gavi’s results have been extraordinary not only in terms of the projection of soft U.S. power, but also in terms of the preservation of the vital security interests of America and our allies.—
Seth Berkley,
Time,
27 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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The composer responded in part by transposing the eight-by-eight chessboard onto the keyboard, with eight octaves on the piano, and devised an experimental score that notates the movement of various chess pieces to given squares on the board.—
Mark Ellwood,
Robb Report,
29 Mar. 2025
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Throughout the day, an experimental duo of vehicle-to-load Polestar 2 prototypes also powered the grouping of huts and tipis, saunas, lights, heaters, and even a kitchen on the ice.—
Michael Teo Van Runkle,
Ars Technica,
25 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Existential.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/existential. Accessed 3 Apr. 2025.
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