1. A philosophical movement emphasizing individual existence, freedom, and personal responsibility, and holding that people create their own essence through their choices and actions.
Usage: Often associated with 20th-century philosophers like Jean-Paul Sartre and Simone de Beauvoir; Academic/philosophical context

Examples

• Existentialism argues that existence precedes essence, meaning we are not born with a predetermined nature.
• The philosophy of existentialism emphasizes human freedom and the anxiety that comes with making choices.
• Sartre's existentialism holds that we are responsible for creating meaning in our own lives.
• Many students study existentialism to understand how individuals define themselves through their actions.
• The existentialism movement challenged traditional views about human nature and destiny.