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
Also, when pitching a tent, take care to select the most level ground available or else your sleeping bag slides and awkward positions within the tent are likely.
—
Don Sproul, Oc Register, 9 Sep. 2025
Just getting there requires a motor vehicle, or else stamina and an appetite for risk.
—Justin Davidson, Curbed, 9 Sep. 2025
Trump urged them to negotiate a ceasefire or else trade deals with the governments would stall.
—Kinsey Crowley, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2025
Nusbaum believes this training must be extended to paraeducators, the teacher aides who provide assistance and support in the classroom, or else their inability to properly respond to violence may contribute to teacher injuries.
—IndyStar, 3 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for or else
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Don Sproul, Oc Register, 9 Sep. 2025
Just getting there requires a motor vehicle, or else stamina and an appetite for risk.
—Justin Davidson, Curbed, 9 Sep. 2025
Trump urged them to negotiate a ceasefire or else trade deals with the governments would stall.
—Kinsey Crowley, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2025
Nusbaum believes this training must be extended to paraeducators, the teacher aides who provide assistance and support in the classroom, or else their inability to properly respond to violence may contribute to teacher injuries.
—IndyStar, 3 Sep. 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 15 Sep. 2025.
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