existential

adjective

ex·is·ten·tial ˌeg-(ˌ)zi-ˈsten(t)-shəl

ˌek-(ˌ)si-

Synonyms of existential next

: of, relating to, or affirming existence

existential propositions

: grounded in existence or the experience of existence : empirical

: having being in time and space

: existentialist

existentially adverb

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 Adlon stars as Sam, a working actress in L.A. juggling her career with existential crises, failing relationships, and the competing attentions of her three daughters. —

Ben Rosenstock, TIME, 27 June 2024 Such accusations reinforce the Kremlin’s public narrative that the West is the biggest existential threat to the security of ordinary Russians. —

Yuliya Talmazan, NBC News, 26 June 2024 The times demand not just the typical issues of a presidential debate, like the economy, foreign policy and immigration, but ones that have to do with the existential nature of this campaign. —

Ted Johnson, Deadline, 26 June 2024 This oppositional stance makes some sense: The military is Israel’s melting pot, and for the Haredi, assimilation poses an existential threat. —

Ruth Marcus, Washington Post, 25 June 2024 See all Example Sentences for existential

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'existential.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Late Latin existentiālis, exsistentiālis, from existentia, exsistentia existence + Latin -ālis -al entry 1; in the 19th and 20th centuries in part as translation of Danish existentiel (later eksistentiel) & German existentiell

Note: Compare "Existentielt Indlæg" ("existential contribution") in the subtitle of Søren Kierkegaard's Afsluttende uvidenskabelig Efterskrift til de philosophiske Smuler (1846; Concluding Unscientific Postscript to the Philosophical Fragments), used also elsewhere in the work.

First Known Use

1656, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler

The first known use of existential was in 1656

See more words from the same year