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
Modera Boca is a 12-story, 306-unit multifamily residential building proposed for 400 S. Dixie Highway where an office building currently exists and will be redeveloped.
—
Abigail Hasebroock, Sun Sentinel, 15 July 2025
Trump has been the subject of rare backlash from his supporters ever since the FBI and the DOJ announced the Epstein files do not exist.
—Zack Sharf, Variety, 15 July 2025
Another recent report is that the original plan for Clayface was to have that movie exist in the Reeves universe, but it was pulled over to the DCU instead.
—Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025
By the Carter years, the Commission had become the Department of Energy and Nuclear Regulatory Commission, which exists till this today, but whose regulatory powers the Trump Administration plans to drastically reduce.
—Time, 15 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for exist
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Abigail Hasebroock, Sun Sentinel, 15 July 2025
Trump has been the subject of rare backlash from his supporters ever since the FBI and the DOJ announced the Epstein files do not exist.
—Zack Sharf, Variety, 15 July 2025
Another recent report is that the original plan for Clayface was to have that movie exist in the Reeves universe, but it was pulled over to the DCU instead.
—Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025
By the Carter years, the Commission had become the Department of Energy and Nuclear Regulatory Commission, which exists till this today, but whose regulatory powers the Trump Administration plans to drastically reduce.
—Time, 15 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for exist
Cite this Entry
“Exist.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/exist. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.
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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share