existential

adjective

ˌeg-(ˌ)zi-ˈsten(t)-shəl How to pronounce existential (audio)
Definition of existentialnext
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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Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of existential Users can explore spiritual answers to personal problems and existential questions at anytime, without the typical hurdles of connecting with an in-demand guru and paying for their services. — ABC News, 28 Aug. 2026 Extreme heat and persistent drought present serious, existential threats to California’s multi-billion dollar specialty crop industry. — Jonathan Destler, Fortune, 27 Aug. 2026 Amol Rajan, the BBC Radio 4 Today show presenter, has called for urgent action to save the UK national broadcaster from an existential emergency. — Jake Kanter, Deadline, 27 Aug. 2026 With three full-length albums in his rearview mirror, the Canadian singer-songwriter has surpassed 450 million global streams of his deeply pensive tracks chronicling universally existential themes. — Jonathan Borge, InStyle, 27 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for existential
Recent Examples of Synonyms for existential
  1. empirical
  2. observational
  3. objective
  4. experimental
Adjective
  • But, Stemler said, there isn’t much empirical data to show how pervasive this practice is, mostly just anecdotes.
    — Audrey McGlinchy, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Allowing subjective confidence to silently acquire the epistemological status of empirical verification is neither verification nor evidence.
    — Hamilton Mann, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of empirical
Adjective
  • Her peerless ability to weave a story with keen observational skills and a guitar.
    — Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026
  • While the study doesn’t prove that earlier menopause causes these brain changes, the observational findings add to existing evidence that the timing of menopause may be one factor that helps shape brain health later in life.
    — Emily Kay Votruba, EverydayHealth.com, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of observational
Adjective
  • While the class was divided between protectionists and free-traders, the teacher gave no indication of his own views, and the textbook presented objective facts along with arguments from both sides.
    — Livia Gershon, JSTOR Daily, 1 Sep. 2026
  • On any objective comparison, our project should have survived.
    — Aurelien Mangano, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of objective
Adjective
  • But in 2018 Trump signed the Right to Try Act, which allows terminally ill patients to access certain experimental drugs and immunotherapy treatments that have not received full approval from the Food and Drug Administration.
    — Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Hubble and Webb both have coronagraphs, but Roman’s experimental instrument is 100 to 1,000 times better than any built before, said Bertrand Mennesson, Roman deputy project scientist at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California.
    — Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of experimental

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Cite this Entry

“Existential.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/existential. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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