existential absence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "existential absence" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in philosophical or psychological contexts to describe a state of being that lacks meaning or presence in existence. Example: "The character's journey through the novel reflects a profound existential absence, highlighting their struggle to find purpose in a seemingly indifferent world."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Nevertheless, reflect on old men with beards (or, uh, their existential absence) with Jewish/atheist Antony Loewenstein, Scientist/humanist Jim Al Khalili, and Christian/Muslim scholar Reza Aslan, the Colbert Show and Daily Show regular whose promo push for his latest book Zealot resulted in an hilarious Fox News viral video that saw him shoot to the top of the New York Times Bestseller list.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

My greatest concern is the lack of public awareness about this existential threat, the absence of a vigorous public debate about the nuclear-war plans of Russia and the United States, the silent consent to the roughly fifteen thousand nuclear weapons in the world.

The New Yorker

The absence of an existential threat may have made it too comfortable.

The Economist

I have to admit that I had felt somewhat unhinged by the (relative) political quiet, and by the absence of the existential threat that had accompanied me all my adult life.

The New Yorker

Self-regarding elites now haunted by premonitions of decay, and trapped in the clash between local democracy and global capitalism, face another, more existential challenge: it is the absence, as the historian Mark Mazower put it in 1998, of "an opponent against whom democrats can define what they stand for".

The Guardian

What most deeply differentiates Aristotle's conception of human life from that of Plato is the absence of the existential urgency that is so evident in Plato's account of the ascent of the soul toward the really real (to ontos on) and toward the Form of the Good.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"There's absence, there's sadness, there's an existential feeling about the erosion of time — that empty feeling we can get when you stop and look at things as they are".

The New York Times

Many realize that their demography is unsustainable, but cling to the status quo in the absence of a solution that would address their existential fears.

Huffington Post

Imagine the aching loneliness, the black pool of terrifying existential angst, that might be encountered in a whole six minutes' absence from all our yabber, yabber, yabber over 365 days.

The Guardian - Opinion

Admittedly there's nothing to match the existential horror of watching Bay bare his soul in Pain & Gain, and the absence of Shia LaBeouf is a plus.

The Guardian - Film

For Rabbi Kook, authentic spirituality begins with an existential commitment to the love of life itself, even in the face of its absence and opposite.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "existential absence", ensure the context is philosophical or psychological, where the lack of meaning or presence is the central theme. This phrase adds depth when discussing profound feelings of emptiness or lack of purpose.

Common error

Avoid using "existential absence" in everyday conversations or situations where a simpler term like "absence" or "lack" would suffice. Overusing it can make your writing sound pretentious.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "existential absence" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. As Ludwig AI underlines, it refers to a state of lacking meaning or presence in existence. The phrase's usage highlights its role in philosophical or psychological contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Encyclopedias

18%

Science

18%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "existential absence" is a noun phrase that describes a profound lack of meaning or presence in existence. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and highlights its usage in philosophical and psychological contexts. While not a common phrase, it carries significant weight when used appropriately. The phrase is more common in formal and academic writing. Remember to use it judiciously and consider alternatives like "ontological absence" or "absence of meaning" for clarity and context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ontological absence

Replaces "existential" with "ontological", focusing on the absence related to being or existence itself.

absence of meaning

Simplifies the phrase by directly stating the lack of meaning, removing the existential qualifier.

lack of existential significance

Emphasizes the deficiency in importance or relevance from an existential perspective.

existential void

Uses "void" to denote an empty or unfilled space in the existential realm.

spiritual emptiness

Shifts the focus to a lack of spiritual fulfillment or connection.

absence of purpose

Highlights the lack of a defined reason or goal in life.

meaninglessness of existence

Expresses a broader sentiment of life lacking inherent value or significance.

lack of being

Focuses on the absence of essential qualities or characteristics of existence.

sense of alienation

Highlights the feeling of being detached or estranged from oneself and the world.

existential despair

Focuses on despair caused by lack of meaning or purpose.

FAQs

What does "existential absence" mean?

The term "existential absence" refers to a state or condition where there is a profound lack of meaning, purpose, or presence in one's existence. It's often associated with feelings of emptiness and detachment.

How can I use "existential absence" in a sentence?

You might say, "The character's journey reflects a profound "existential absence", highlighting their struggle to find purpose" or "The artwork conveys a sense of "existential absence", prompting viewers to question their own existence".

What are some alternatives to "existential absence"?

Alternatives include "ontological absence", "absence of meaning", or "existential void" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "existential absence" a common phrase?

While grammatically correct, "existential absence" is not a very common phrase. It is more frequently encountered in philosophical or psychological discussions rather than in everyday language.