Definitions

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

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

Without the manifestation of reason in our consciousness, there could be no knowledge—neither psychological, nor, still less, ontological.

From Transcendentalism in New England A History by Frothingham, Octavius Brooks