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
Hu worries that CEOs like Lütke are wielding AI to intimidate employees to work harder, or else!
—
Hessie Jones, Forbes.com, 2 July 2025
The following year, Indiana's legislative leaders cited this and a Harvard University study showing similar rankings in a letter to hospital and insurance executives urging them to find their own solutions or else legislators will force solutions upon them.
—Kayla Dwyer, IndyStar, 2 July 2025
Martin and Richard played critical roles themselves, or else the Gators would have been denied along the way.
—Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 June 2025
Their doors bore no signs, or else misleading ones: for a travel agency, a translation bureau, a small think tank.
—Kian Tajbakhsh, The Atlantic, 27 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for or else
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Hessie Jones, Forbes.com, 2 July 2025
The following year, Indiana's legislative leaders cited this and a Harvard University study showing similar rankings in a letter to hospital and insurance executives urging them to find their own solutions or else legislators will force solutions upon them.
—Kayla Dwyer, IndyStar, 2 July 2025
Martin and Richard played critical roles themselves, or else the Gators would have been denied along the way.
—Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 June 2025
Their doors bore no signs, or else misleading ones: for a travel agency, a translation bureau, a small think tank.
—Kian Tajbakhsh, The Atlantic, 27 June 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 14 Jul. 2025.
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