existential

Relating to whether someone or something can continue to exist.

• The company faces an existential threat.
• Climate change creates existential risks for some island nations.
• The loss of funding became an existential danger to the organization.

Common phrases: existential threat, existential risk, existential danger

Relating to being alive or existing, and questions about what life means.

• She asked an existential question about life.
• His birthday brought an unexpected existential crisis.
• The novel explores the character's existential anxiety.

Common phrases: existential question, existential crisis, existential anxiety

Relating to a philosophy that emphasizes individual freedom, choices, and responsibility for giving life meaning.

• We studied existential philosophy at university.
• Her essay discusses existential ideas about freedom.
• The course explores existential literature and personal responsibility.

Similar words: existentialist

Common phrases: existential philosophy, existential thought, existential literature

Stating or suggesting that at least one thing of a particular kind exists.

• This is an existential statement.
• An existential quantifier says that at least one example exists.
• The proof establishes the existential claim.

Common phrases: existential statement, existential quantifier, existential proposition