ei·ther-or
ˌē-t͟hər-ˈȯr 
also ˌī-
: an unavoidable choice or exclusive division between only two alternatives
: of or marked by either-or : black-and-white
Examples of either-or in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Tribune News Service, Oc Register, 5 Nov. 2025
This is not an either-or choice between senior members and younger people.
—Jason Lemon, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Sep. 2025
The Next Consulting Model This isn’t an either-or story.
—John Winsor, Forbes.com, 31 July 2025
But unlike last offseason, when the Falcons committed $90 million guaranteed to Kirk Cousins before using a first-round pick for another QB, Michael Penix Jr., the move to draft pass rushers Jalon Walker and James Pearce Jr. was not an either-or proposition.
—Mike Sando, New York Times, 29 May 2025
Everett gives the agonizing either-or decision to James instead.
—John Jeremiah Sullivan, Harpers Magazine, 29 Apr. 2025
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Noun
Try a combination of joint accounts and separate accounts
Fortunately, couples aren’t forced into an either-or solution here.
—Tribune News Service, Oc Register, 5 Nov. 2025
This is not an either-or choice between senior members and younger people.
—Jason Lemon, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Sep. 2025
The Next Consulting Model This isn’t an either-or story.
—John Winsor, Forbes.com, 31 July 2025
But unlike last offseason, when the Falcons committed $90 million guaranteed to Kirk Cousins before using a first-round pick for another QB, Michael Penix Jr., the move to draft pass rushers Jalon Walker and James Pearce Jr. was not an either-or proposition.
—Mike Sando, New York Times, 29 May 2025
Everett gives the agonizing either-or decision to James instead.
—John Jeremiah Sullivan, Harpers Magazine, 29 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Either-or.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/either-or. Accessed 2 Dec. 2025.
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