do-or-die
adjective
ˈdü-ər-ˈdī 
-ȯr-
1
: doggedly determined to reach one's objective : indomitable
2
: presenting as the only alternatives complete success or complete ruin
a do-or-die situation
Examples of do-or-die in a Sentence
a do-or-die entrepreneur who never stopped believing that hard work would inevitably lead to success
Recent Examples on the Web
The Pittsburgh Penguins pulled out a win on Saturday night in a do-or-die contest against the Philadelphia Flyers in Game 4 of the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.
—
Jessica Riley, CBS News, 27 Apr. 2026
Ahead of Sunday’s Game 4, the Kings were in a do-or-die position, while the Colorado Avalanche were going in for the kill, armed with a 3-0 lead in the best-of-seven first-round series.
—Andrew Knoll, Daily News, 25 Apr. 2026
Golden State will hope to get repeat performances from its old but effective centers tonight against the Suns in a do-or-die play-in game.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 17 Apr. 2026
It’s been four years since Paul scored both Lightning goals in a 2-1 win over Toronto in a do-or-die game Game 7 of the opening round, one of the momentum-building moments in Tampa Bay’s run to a third straight Cup final.
—Eduardo A. Encina, The Orlando Sentinel, 17 Apr. 2026
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Jessica Riley, CBS News, 27 Apr. 2026
Ahead of Sunday’s Game 4, the Kings were in a do-or-die position, while the Colorado Avalanche were going in for the kill, armed with a 3-0 lead in the best-of-seven first-round series.
—Andrew Knoll, Daily News, 25 Apr. 2026
Golden State will hope to get repeat performances from its old but effective centers tonight against the Suns in a do-or-die play-in game.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 17 Apr. 2026
It’s been four years since Paul scored both Lightning goals in a 2-1 win over Toronto in a do-or-die game Game 7 of the opening round, one of the momentum-building moments in Tampa Bay’s run to a third straight Cup final.
—Eduardo A. Encina, The Orlando Sentinel, 17 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for do-or-die
Cite this Entry
“Do-or-die.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/do-or-die. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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