ontological

[on-tl-oj-i-kuhl] / ˌɒn tlˈɒdʒ ɪ kəl /

ADJECTIVE

pertaining to the nature of existence

Synonyms

STRONGEST

existential metaphysical phenomenological

STRONG

philosophical

WEAK

supernatural transcendental

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

But the ontological distinction was lost at the start: events don't exist, they happen.

From Science Daily • Nov. 2, 2025

Whatever Ramona wanted in the car, she’s experiencing ontological buyer’s remorse in the now.

From Salon • Mar. 31, 2025

I think that’s important, as an ontological model of cinema.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 19, 2024

Without diving into some kind of ontological rumination, I think we can agree that this isn’t really about “existence.”

From New York Times • Jan. 24, 2024

If ontological goodness is really identical with actual being, if being is good in so far as it is actual, then it would appear that ontological evil must be identical with non-being, nothingness.

From Ontology or the Theory of Being by Coffey, Peter