all-or-nothing

adjective

all-or-noth·​ing

ˌȯl-ər-ˈnə-thiŋ

1

: all-or-none

2

a

: accepting no less than everything

he's an all-or-nothing perfectionist

b

: risking everything

an all-or-nothing combat strategy

Examples of all-or-nothing in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Making better choices should not be an all-or-nothing deal. —Markus Lindblad, Forbes.com, 13 June 2025

The Jewish community has warned that framing the war between Israel and Hamas as a simplistic, all-or-nothing fight puts Jews at risk here in Colorado. —Brandon Rattiner, Denver Post, 8 June 2025

There’s the middle-aged coach who’s out of his depth, taking an all-or-nothing shot on an unlikely star. —Ben Travers, IndieWire, 4 June 2025

Sides took ‘an all-or-nothing position’ Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference and ACLU of Connecticut respond to Trump administration executive order banning transgender women and girls from participating in girls and women’s sports. —Jessika Harkay, Hartford Courant, 29 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1764, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for all-or-nothing

• nothing

Medical Definition

all-or-nothing

adjective

all-or-noth·​ing -ˈnəth-iŋ 

: all-or-none