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
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Recent Examples of existential
Don Draper is his own brand of sad dad: the ’60s family patriarch whose existential crisis sends him bouncing between absurd heights of self-confidence and heartbreaking lows of absolute fraudulence.
—
Ben Travers, IndieWire, 11 Apr. 2025
But inhaling enough can turn the act of breathing into an existential hazard, prompting or worsening asthma, COPD, respiratory infections, and permanent lung damage.
—Zoë Schlanger, The Atlantic, 9 Apr. 2025
Coach Scott has an existential meltdown and wonders if the universe really does hate him.
—Billie Melissa, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Apr. 2025
This represents an existential moment for Danea Palmer, a doctoral student in biochemistry.
—Jemma Stephenson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for existential
Ben Travers, IndieWire, 11 Apr. 2025
But inhaling enough can turn the act of breathing into an existential hazard, prompting or worsening asthma, COPD, respiratory infections, and permanent lung damage.
—Zoë Schlanger, The Atlantic, 9 Apr. 2025
Coach Scott has an existential meltdown and wonders if the universe really does hate him.
—Billie Melissa, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Apr. 2025
This represents an existential moment for Danea Palmer, a doctoral student in biochemistry.
—Jemma Stephenson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for existential
Recent Examples of Synonyms for existential
Adjective
-
Economists rarely find consensus—but the empirical evidence against sweeping tariffs is nearly unanimous.—
Christian Catalini,
Forbes.com,
11 Apr. 2025
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Some of Trump’s critics used sketchy arguments and weak empirical evidence to accuse Facebook and other social media services of having allowed Russian propagandists to manipulate Americans into voting for a leader with authoritarian predilections.—
Henry Farrell,
Foreign Affairs,
3 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
To ensure your feedback is constructive, be specific and objective.—
Rolling Stone Culture Council,
Rolling Stone,
9 Apr. 2025
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This process ensured a consistent and objective methodology across all seven systems.—
Giovanni Malloy,
Forbes.com,
8 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Ringwald on the other hand, thought Claire would have taken her own, more experimental path.—
Rachel Flynn,
People.com,
12 Apr. 2025
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Researchers have discovered an experimental medication that significantly reduces a cholesterol-like particle that can increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes.—
Shiv Sudhakar,
FOXNews.com,
12 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Existential.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/existential. Accessed 21 Apr. 2025.
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