or else
idiom
1
—used to say what will happen if something is not done
You have to leave or else you will be arrested for trespassing.
2
—used to say what another possibility is
He either thinks he can't do it or else he just isn't interested.
3
informal
—used in angry speech to express a threat without saying exactly what the threat is
Do what I say or else!
Examples of or else in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Win or else The fans from those dynasty years raised their children on Steinbrenner’s annual win-or-else mission statement, something Cashman mentioned all the time — until his clubs started consistently losing in the postseason.
—
Ian O'Connor, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025
But she’s batted against by her own clients — including Danielle Macdonald, who is terminally afraid of accidentally killing her own newborn child — and the medical administration hovering around her daughter, demanding immediate improvements or else.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 9 Oct. 2025
This caller said that $9,200 was needed immediately for bail or else Anthony’s son would be jailed for a month and a half.
—Madhusree Mukerjee, Scientific American, 8 Oct. 2025
On Friday, Judge Scott McAfee ordered the Prosecuting Attorneys Council (PAC) of Georgia to appoint an attorney to take over the case within 14 days, or else the case will be dismissed.
—Olivia Rubin, ABC News, 6 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for or else
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Ian O'Connor, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025
But she’s batted against by her own clients — including Danielle Macdonald, who is terminally afraid of accidentally killing her own newborn child — and the medical administration hovering around her daughter, demanding immediate improvements or else.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 9 Oct. 2025
This caller said that $9,200 was needed immediately for bail or else Anthony’s son would be jailed for a month and a half.
—Madhusree Mukerjee, Scientific American, 8 Oct. 2025
On Friday, Judge Scott McAfee ordered the Prosecuting Attorneys Council (PAC) of Georgia to appoint an attorney to take over the case within 14 days, or else the case will be dismissed.
—Olivia Rubin, ABC News, 6 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for or else
Cite this Entry
“Or else.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/or%20else. Accessed 17 Oct. 2025.
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