existentialism

noun

ex·​is·​ten·​tial·​ism ˌeg-(ˌ)zi-ˈsten(t)-shə-ˌli-zəm How to pronounce existentialism (audio)
ˌek-(ˌ)si-
: a chiefly 20th century philosophical movement embracing diverse doctrines but centering on analysis of individual existence in an unfathomable universe and the plight of the individual who must assume ultimate responsibility for acts of free will without any certain knowledge of what is right or wrong or good or bad

Examples of existentialism in a Sentence

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Businesses and technology leaders envisioning what superintelligent agents could mean for their organizations may require entirely rethinking business models, macroeconomics, and even existentialism and mortality. Douglas B. Laney, Forbes, 3 Jan. 2025 The whole experience felt like an extended course in French existentialism. Ivan Krastev, The Atlantic, 3 Jan. 2025 Buzzati’s work, swept up in the vogue for existentialism, established him as part of the European literary landscape, with translations into French and Spanish. Christopher Tayler, Harper's Magazine, 2 Jan. 2025 That would make for a fairly standard neo-noir, but Penn’s cockeyed vision folds in art film existentialism, surrealist gags and winking metatextual commentary, resulting in a crime film unlike any other. Jason Bailey, New York Times, 30 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for existentialism 

Word History

Etymology

existential + -ism, in part as translation of German Existentialismus (or Existenzialismus) or French existentialisme

First Known Use

1941, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of existentialism was in 1941

Dictionary Entries Near existentialism

Cite this Entry

“Existentialism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/existentialism. Accessed 22 Jan. 2025.

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