existentially

/ˌɛɡzɪˈstɛnʃəli/
adverb
  1. In a way that relates to existence or being alive, especially when considering the meaning or purpose of life.
    • He stared at the ocean, existentially aware of how small he was in the universe.
    • The novel explores existentially heavy themes like freedom and death.
    • After the accident, she felt existentially lost, questioning everything she believed in.
  2. In a way that threatens or affects the continued existence of something.
    • The company faced an existentially challenging year when its main product failed.
    • Climate change is existentially dangerous for many coastal cities.
    • Some argue that artificial intelligence could become existentially risky for humanity.
What does "existentially" mean? | whatsthatwordmean | whatsthatwordmean