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

This notion of yearning and desire and all-or-nothing, consuming passion has seemingly dwindled, with the fairy tale ending seemingly out of reach. —Emily Rella, People.com, 27 Aug. 2025

Hugely powerful, with a game even more all-or-nothing than Sabalenka, Kanepi, 37 and standing at 5 feet 11 inches like her opponent, could outhit anyone on her day. —Charlie Eccleshare, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2025

The all-or-nothing approach was necessary to develop our expertise, but that too, comes with its own limitations. —Chloe Sorvino, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2025

The slogan expresses an all-or-nothing fantasy: either the thrilling overthrow of settler colonialism in all the land of Palestine, or else the glorious martyrdom of the noble resistance. —David Frum, The Atlantic, 14 Aug. 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