as in resolute
fully committed to achieving a goal
a do-or-die entrepreneur who never stopped believing that hard work would inevitably lead to success
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Recent Examples of do-or-die
Once there Early got the start in Boston’s do-or-die Game 3 against the New York Yankees in the AL Wild Card Series, and while the Red Sox lost the game, Early pitched well and was ultimately undone by poor infield defense and bad luck.
—
Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 23 Feb. 2026
Creekview’s comeback victory over South Effingham in the Class 5A final — requiring five straight do-or-die victories by pin — was best in show, surely one of the greatest rallies in state wrestling finals history.
—Todd Holcomb, AJC.com, 19 Jan. 2026
The Bears are gearing up to take on the Packers on Saturday in a do-or-die Wild Card matchup at Soldier Field.
—Marissa Perlman, CBS News, 9 Jan. 2026
Boise State reached this point after winning two do-or-die games, first at home against Colorado State, and then on the road at Utah State, where Danielson’s team had to rally for a 25-24 win behind backup QB Max Cutforth.
—Idaho Statesman, 6 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for do-or-die
Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 23 Feb. 2026
Creekview’s comeback victory over South Effingham in the Class 5A final — requiring five straight do-or-die victories by pin — was best in show, surely one of the greatest rallies in state wrestling finals history.
—Todd Holcomb, AJC.com, 19 Jan. 2026
The Bears are gearing up to take on the Packers on Saturday in a do-or-die Wild Card matchup at Soldier Field.
—Marissa Perlman, CBS News, 9 Jan. 2026
Boise State reached this point after winning two do-or-die games, first at home against Colorado State, and then on the road at Utah State, where Danielson’s team had to rally for a 25-24 win behind backup QB Max Cutforth.
—Idaho Statesman, 6 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for do-or-die
Recent Examples of Synonyms for do-or-die
Adjective
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The display showed, on the left, the face of a gray-haired man with a resolute expression, his neck vanishing into a white collar and dark suit.—
Simon Akam,
Vanity Fair,
2 Apr. 2026
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Whichever team is more resolute in executing its game plan will likely move on to the Final Four.—
Christian Babcock,
Mercury News,
28 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The Santa Monica Pier was temporarily evacuated on Saturday afternoon as police investigated what was determined to be a non-credible bomb threat.—
Dean Fioresi,
CBS News,
5 Apr. 2026
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The determined plant can grow in many conditions, including sun or shade and wet or dry soil, displacing native species, disrupting local ecosystems, and even degrading riverbanks.—
SJ McShane,
Martha Stewart,
5 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Trump seems intent on seizing Iran’s Kharg Island, from where Iranian oil is exported.—
Rachel Marsden,
Hartford Courant,
5 Apr. 2026
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One defining moment was when a teenage Johnson and his father were in a comic shop and Johnson was intent on buying a copy of Battle Chasers, a comic known for shapely and busty heroines and plenty of violence.—
Borys Kit,
HollywoodReporter,
3 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Either way, this decisive energy favors clear asks and tangible action over chasing perfect conditions.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
9 Apr. 2026
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The Aggies lost Game 2, and the decisive Game 3.—
Mac Engel
April 8,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
8 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Do-or-die.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/do-or-die. Accessed 12 Apr. 2026.
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