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 Tense, disturbing, riveting, Alex Garland’s dystopian film Civil War examines an existential threat preying on the American sub-conscious: What would happen if the political and social divisions cleaving the United States ultimately collapse the nation into the abyss? —

Eisa Nefertari Ulen, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 Apr. 2024 The traditionally press-shy Viagogo boss has been going on the offensive in recent months as the group faces the existential threat of a price cap on ticket resales, which would crush its business model. —

Ryan Hogg, Fortune Europe, 15 Apr. 2024 Tehran has also pursued a nuclear program—now closer than ever to producing a weapon—that Israeli officials view as an existential threat. —

Ali Vaez, Foreign Affairs, 15 Apr. 2024 Targeting threats For the northern quoll, a small marsupial predator, the existential threat arrived nearly a century ago, when the invasive, poisonous cane toad landed in eastern Australia. —

Emily Anthes Chang W. Lee, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2024 For high-end chocolate brands, whose products use lots of cocoa, the recent price hikes are reportedly an existential threat. —

Yasmin Tayag, The Atlantic, 12 Apr. 2024 The Panguitch Lake Dam in southwest Utah has developed a 60-foot-long crack that is allowing excess water to flood a nearby creek, posing an existential threat to the nearby towns of Panguitch and Circleville. —

Timothy H.j. Nerozzi Fox News, Fox News, 11 Apr. 2024 The Archive is currently facing a number of serious legal challenges, including a lawsuit from major record labels, including Universal Music Group, Capitol, and Sony, that poses an existential threat—the labels are asking for damages that could amount to over $400 million. —

Kate Knibbs, WIRED, 8 Apr. 2024 While the United States and allies in the region plead for a cease-fire to allow a hostage release and for aid to flow to starving Gazans, the two sides are locked in what both consider an existential battle. —

Karen Deyoung, Washington Post, 6 Apr. 2024

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

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