___ of one's existence (4)

I believe the answer is:

bane

(Other definitions for bane that I've seen before include "Something causing misery or distress" , "Cause of trouble or worry, like bean" , "Cause of distress, ruin" , "Blight" , "Affliction, cause of distress" .)

I've seen this clue in the USA Today and The New York Times.

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