exist
verb
ex·ist ig-ˈzist 
existed; existing; exists
intransitive verb
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
Synonyms
- be
- breathe
- live
- subsist
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
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. See More
Recent Examples on the Web The district’s data confirms that disparities exist, including in enforcement of minor disciplinary matters such as insubordination, dress code violations and student ID violations. 
Jennifer Smith Richards, Chicago Tribune, 14 Sep. 2022 Other studies have supported the theory that these cross-reactive T cells exist and may explain why some people avoid infection. Grace Browne, WIRED, 12 Sep. 2022 Right now, for example, the weekly, appointment-viewing obsessiveness that a show like House of the Dragon attracts doesn’t really exist among Netflix subscribers. Andy Meek, BGR, 10 Sep. 2022 Carney, who’s spent years listening to purrs of all sorts, told me that such differences may exist with purrs too: Contented rumbles tend to be more melodious and lower, while anxious revs trend higher and harsher. Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 7 Sep. 2022 The results revealed that two distinct kinds of moral response exist. Jordan Wylie, Scientific American, 1 Sep. 2022 Last year Macron was quoted as suggesting that Algerian national identity did not exist before French rule, and accused Algeria's leaders of rewriting the history of the independence struggle based on a hatred of France. Adam Pourahmadi, CNN, 26 Aug. 2022 Johnson noted that, unlike what happened initially with COVID-19, effective monkeypox vaccines already exist and are being distributed within the Navajo Nation. Perry Vandell, The Arizona Republic, 26 Aug. 2022 May ruled that prosecutors had shown that such extraordinary circumstances exist. Danny Hakim, BostonGlobe.com, 15 Aug. 2022 See More
Jennifer Smith Richards, Chicago Tribune, 14 Sep. 2022 Other studies have supported the theory that these cross-reactive T cells exist and may explain why some people avoid infection. Grace Browne, WIRED, 12 Sep. 2022 Right now, for example, the weekly, appointment-viewing obsessiveness that a show like House of the Dragon attracts doesn’t really exist among Netflix subscribers. Andy Meek, BGR, 10 Sep. 2022 Carney, who’s spent years listening to purrs of all sorts, told me that such differences may exist with purrs too: Contented rumbles tend to be more melodious and lower, while anxious revs trend higher and harsher. Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 7 Sep. 2022 The results revealed that two distinct kinds of moral response exist. Jordan Wylie, Scientific American, 1 Sep. 2022 Last year Macron was quoted as suggesting that Algerian national identity did not exist before French rule, and accused Algeria's leaders of rewriting the history of the independence struggle based on a hatred of France. Adam Pourahmadi, CNN, 26 Aug. 2022 Johnson noted that, unlike what happened initially with COVID-19, effective monkeypox vaccines already exist and are being distributed within the Navajo Nation. Perry Vandell, The Arizona Republic, 26 Aug. 2022 May ruled that prosecutors had shown that such extraordinary circumstances exist. Danny Hakim, BostonGlobe.com, 15 Aug. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
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- entry 1 + sistere "to cause to stand, assume a standing position, place, check, halt" — more at assist entry 1
First Known Use
circa 1568, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Kids Definition
exist
verb
ex·ist ig-ˈzist
existed; existing
1
: to have actual being : be real
Do unicorns exist?
2
: to be found : occur
Problems exist in every neighborhood.
3
: to continue to live
She barely earned enough to exist.
exist
verb
as in to live
to have life strive to have a full, rich life rather than merely exist Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- live
- be
- subsist
- rule
- persist
- breathe
- survive
- continue
- flourish
- endure
- last
- thrive
- abide
- hold on
- run on
- prosper
- kick
- lead
- hold up
- keep (on)
- move
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- die
- disappear
- expire
- vanish
- perish
- cease
- depart
- succumb
- evaporate
- stop
- end
- die (down)
- pass away
- desist
- discontinue
- quit
- subside
- abate
- wane
- moderate
- let up
- ebb