or else

idiom

—used to say what will happen if something is not done

You have to leave or else you will be arrested for trespassing.

—used to say what another possibility is

He either thinks he can't do it or else he just isn't interested.

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 Woman of the Hour instead becomes a highwire act of escalating tension that Kendrick's Sheryl Bradshaw, an aspiring actress and Dating Game contestant, must navigate or else. —

Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 5 Oct. 2024 In 2021, The Times reported on allegations that an unnamed City Council member pressured the commission to soften its enforcement of city gift laws or else face cuts to its budget. —

David Zahniser, Los Angeles Times, 3 Oct. 2024 The intrigue: Some experts think churches need to change their structures or even theology to retain more young women, or else face extinction. —

Russell Contreras, Axios, 28 Sep. 2024 Time’s nearly up for federal student loan borrowers to start repaying or else face credit score consequences soon. —

Medora Lee, USA TODAY, 15 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for or else

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'or else.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.