Existing — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb adjective /ig-ˈzist/ ex·ist

Meaning & Definition of Existing

Existing (verb)

  1. to have real being whether material or spiritual
  2. to have being in a specified place or with respect to understood limitations or conditions
  3. to continue to be

Existing (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. having being at the present time

    "existing breeds of the turkey that graces our Thanksgiving table are said to bear little resemblance to the gamy birds that the Pilgrims enjoyed"

    similar: alive, around, existent, extant, living
    related: active, busy, flourishing, functioning, operating, working
    opposite: dead, extinct, nonextant
    near: defunct, destroyed, exterminated, kaput, departed, gone, lost, nonexistent, idle, inactive, inert

Existing (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to have life

    "strive to have a full, rich life rather than merely exist"

    similar: being, breathing, living, subsisting
    related: abiding, continuing, enduring, holding on, holding up, keeping (on), kicking, lasting, leading, persisting, ruling, running on, surviving, moving, flourishing, prospering, thriving
    opposite: departing, dying, expiring, passing away, perishing, succumbing
    near: disappearing, evaporating, vanishing, ceasing, desisting, discontinuing, ending, quitting, stopping, abating, dying (down), ebbing, letting up, moderating, subsiding, waning

Related Entry: Exist (verb)

Exist is a different word from Existing. The synonyms below are for exist, not for existing.

  1. to have life

    "strive to have a full, rich life rather than merely exist"

    similar: be, breathe, live, subsist
    related: abide, continue, endure, hold on, hold up, keep (on), kick, last, lead, persist, rule, run on, survive, move, flourish, prosper, thrive
    opposite: depart, die, expire, pass away, perish, succumb
    near: disappear, evaporate, vanish, cease, desist, discontinue, end, quit, stop, abate, die (down), ebb, let up, moderate, subside, wane

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Existing

The most common words with a similar meaning to Existing:

alive, around, existent, extant, living, being, breathing, subsisting

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Existing

Words with the opposite meaning of Existing:

dead, extinct, nonextant, departing, dying, expiring, passing away, perishing, succumbing

Related Words for Existing

active, busy, flourishing, functioning, operating, working, abiding, continuing, enduring, holding on, holding up, keeping (on), kicking, lasting, leading, persisting, ruling, running on, surviving, moving, prospering, thriving

Near Antonyms of Existing

defunct, destroyed, exterminated, kaput, departed, gone, lost, nonexistent, idle, inactive, inert, disappearing, evaporating, vanishing, ceasing, desisting, discontinuing, ending, quitting, stopping, abating, dying (down), ebbing, letting up, moderating, subsiding, waning

Word Forms of Existing

Inflections: existed, exists

Origin & Etymology of Existing

borrowed from Middle French & Latin; Middle French exister, borrowed from Latin existere, exsistere "to come into view, appear, show oneself, come into being" (Late Latin, "to have real being, be, be present"), from ex- ex-:1 + sistere "to cause to stand, assume a standing position, place, check, halt" assist:1

First known use: 1570

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Existing

Frequently Asked Questions about Existing

What does "Existing" mean?

"Existing" means to have real being whether material or spiritual. As an a verb and an adjective, it is defined as: to have real being whether material or spiritual. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Existing"?

Other words for "Existing" include alive, around, existent, extant, living, being, breathing and subsisting. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Existing" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Existing"?

There are 30 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Existing". Common alternatives include alive, around, existent, extant, living, being, breathing and subsisting.

What is the opposite of "Existing"?

Antonyms of "Existing" include dead, extinct, nonextant, departing, dying, expiring, passing away and perishing. Near antonyms include defunct, destroyed, exterminated and kaput.

How do you use "Existing" in a sentence?

Examples of "Existing" in a sentence: "existing breeds of the turkey that graces our Thanksgiving table are said to bear little resemblance to the gamy birds that the Pilgrims enjoyed"; "strive to have a full, rich life rather than merely exist".

Is "Existing" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Existing" can be used as a verb and an adjective, depending on the context.

Is "Existing" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a B2-level word, "Existing" is typical of Cambridge B2 First (FCE), IELTS band 5.5–6.5, TOEFL iBT 72–94, PTE Academic 59–75, TOEIC Listening & Reading 785+.

How do you pronounce "Existing"?

"Existing" is pronounced /ig-ˈzist/ and divided into syllables as ex·ist.