existed; existing; exists
1
a
: to have real being whether material or spiritual
did unicorns exist
the largest galaxy known to exist
b
: to have being in a specified place or with respect to understood limitations or conditions
strange ideas existed in his mind
2
: to continue to be
racism still exists in society
3
a
: to have life or the functions of vitality
we cannot exist without oxygen
b
: to live at an inferior level or under adverse circumstances
the hungry existing from day to day
Examples of exist in a Sentence
She believes that ghosts really do exist.
It's the largest galaxy known to exist.
Does life exist on Mars?
The Internet didn't exist then.
We shouldn't ignore the problems that exist in our own community.
Racism still exists in our society.
The organization may soon cease to exist if more funding isn't provided.
Recent Examples on the Web
The conservative parents also felt that the school district failed to inform parents that the groups existed.
—
Jenavieve Hatch, Sacramento Bee, 3 Apr. 2024
But, at least in theory, the new revenue could free up existing funds for other county spending — including pay and benefits.
—Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Apr. 2024
Some associate or assistant deans previously focused on DEI, Hartzell said, will return to full-time faculty positions, and those that were laid off can apply to existing openings.
—Dan Rosenzweig-Ziff, Washington Post, 3 Apr. 2024
The existing home, with seven bedrooms, spans more than 19,000 square feet.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 3 Apr. 2024
The researchers note that, collectively, their approaches could accelerate wind turbine testing and turbine integration into existing grids and wind farms by catching any issues earlier on, before the wind turbine undergoes its final field test.
—IEEE Spectrum, 3 Apr. 2024
Under existing emergency-repair law for highways, federal funding is capped at 80 percent of the total cost for highway projects such as the Key Bridge, but the binding constraint here is that emergency funding is capped at $100 million per year, which is already appropriated.
—The Editors, National Review, 3 Apr. 2024
Students will work alongside the papers’ existing one- or two-person reporting staffs and put themselves to work covering the small communities of Mount Vernon, Lisbon and Solon, Iowa.
—Heather Hollingsworth, Fortune, 2 Apr. 2024
This council can also recommend standards for fast-food worker safety and work with existing state agencies to investigate issues like wage theft.
—Nicole Goodkind, CNN, 2 Apr. 2024
Jenavieve Hatch, Sacramento Bee, 3 Apr. 2024
But, at least in theory, the new revenue could free up existing funds for other county spending — including pay and benefits.
—Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Apr. 2024
Some associate or assistant deans previously focused on DEI, Hartzell said, will return to full-time faculty positions, and those that were laid off can apply to existing openings.
—Dan Rosenzweig-Ziff, Washington Post, 3 Apr. 2024
The existing home, with seven bedrooms, spans more than 19,000 square feet.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 3 Apr. 2024
The researchers note that, collectively, their approaches could accelerate wind turbine testing and turbine integration into existing grids and wind farms by catching any issues earlier on, before the wind turbine undergoes its final field test.
—IEEE Spectrum, 3 Apr. 2024
Under existing emergency-repair law for highways, federal funding is capped at 80 percent of the total cost for highway projects such as the Key Bridge, but the binding constraint here is that emergency funding is capped at $100 million per year, which is already appropriated.
—The Editors, National Review, 3 Apr. 2024
Students will work alongside the papers’ existing one- or two-person reporting staffs and put themselves to work covering the small communities of Mount Vernon, Lisbon and Solon, Iowa.
—Heather Hollingsworth, Fortune, 2 Apr. 2024
This council can also recommend standards for fast-food worker safety and work with existing state agencies to investigate issues like wage theft.
—Nicole Goodkind, CNN, 2 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'exist.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near exist
Cite this Entry
“Exist.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/exist. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
exist
verb
ex·ist
ig-ˈzist 
1
: to have actual being : be real
do unicorns exist?
2
: to continue to be
as long as doubt exists
3
: to continue to live : stay alive
earned barely enough to exist on
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