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

How much ontological truth were we capable of?

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 20, 2025

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

From Salon • Mar. 31, 2025

This ontological shock would be different from mere discovery or invention; it’s not even synonymous with what the philosopher Thomas Kuhn called a “paradigm shift,” when scientific consensus is amended by some revolutionary new theory.

From Slate • Jul. 24, 2023

Closely connected, and in a way essentially identical with the ontological problem, is that of the origin, validity, and rational value of the ideas of humanity.

From International Congress of Arts and Science, Volume I Philosophy and Metaphysics by Various