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
Zachary Woolfe, New York Times, 22 Dec. 2023
But in such an either-or gambit, only one path is correct.
—Siobhan Roberts Chloë Ellingson, New York Times, 3 Nov. 2023
Related content: Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey says U.S. 43/I-65 debate ‘simply not an either-or proposition’
Mobile, Tuscaloosa mayors join West Alabama officials to tout U.S. 43 project
Where should the money go?
—John Sharp | Jsharp@al.com, al, 8 Sep. 2023
Teaching math should not be an either-or situation, said Sarah Powell, a professor at the University of Texas at Austin who researches math instruction.
—By Ariel Gilreath Of The Hechinger Report and Jackie Valley Of The Christian Science Monitor, Dallas News, 29 Aug. 2023
Powell, the University of Texas professor, said teaching math should not be an either-or situation.
—Ariel Gilreath, al, 29 Aug. 2023
That either-or captures our usual common sense and has the comfort of simplicity.
—Kwame Anthony Appiah, New York Times, 26 July 2023
Gonzalez, whose group seeks to safeguard the wages and working conditions of apparel workers, resisted the notion of housing and jobs as an either-or proposition.
—David Zahniser, Los Angeles Times, 3 May 2023
Noun
All these omissions lead to a rigid, either-or, black-and-white atmosphere.
—Zachary Woolfe, New York Times, 22 Dec. 2023
But in such an either-or gambit, only one path is correct.
—Siobhan Roberts Chloë Ellingson, New York Times, 3 Nov. 2023
Related content: Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey says U.S. 43/I-65 debate ‘simply not an either-or proposition’
Mobile, Tuscaloosa mayors join West Alabama officials to tout U.S. 43 project
Where should the money go?
—John Sharp | Jsharp@al.com, al, 8 Sep. 2023
Teaching math should not be an either-or situation, said Sarah Powell, a professor at the University of Texas at Austin who researches math instruction.
—By Ariel Gilreath Of The Hechinger Report and Jackie Valley Of The Christian Science Monitor, Dallas News, 29 Aug. 2023
Powell, the University of Texas professor, said teaching math should not be an either-or situation.
—Ariel Gilreath, al, 29 Aug. 2023
That either-or captures our usual common sense and has the comfort of simplicity.
—Kwame Anthony Appiah, New York Times, 26 July 2023
Gonzalez, whose group seeks to safeguard the wages and working conditions of apparel workers, resisted the notion of housing and jobs as an either-or proposition.
—David Zahniser, Los Angeles Times, 3 May 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'either-or.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Dictionary Entries Near either-or
Cite this Entry
“Either-or.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/either-or. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
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