LIFE-AND-DEATH Synonyms: 22 Similar and Opposite Words

life-and-death

adjective

variants also life-or-death

Definition of life-and-death

as in crucial

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of life-and-death The life-and-death stakes were raised when the former high school series jumped five years to show a now-young adult Rue becoming a drug mule and working for rival kingpins (Martha Kelly’s Laurie also took her own life in the finale). — Jackie Strause, HollywoodReporter, 1 June 2026 On a darker note, some successful bets on life-and-death events such as war in Iran and the abduction of former Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro have raised questions about whether bettors are trading on insider knowledge. — Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 27 May 2026 Playing a child’s game and managing life-and-death Middle East politics share very little in common. — Los Angeles Times, 4 May 2026 And despite efforts to educate the public on what to do on a day of severe weather, people still sometimes make common mistakes when faced with a possible life-and-death situation. — Dale Denwalt, Oklahoman, 1 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for life-and-death

Recent Examples of Synonyms for life-and-death

Adjective

This extended to her closest competitors in the Tour, after Niewiadoma-Phinney accused Vollering’s teammate Célia Gery of boxing her in during the crucial penultimate stage.

— Jessica Hopkins, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2026
Both teams are eyeing crucial points across the two-test series for staying in contention for the 2027 World Test Championship final.

— ABC News, ABC News, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of crucial

Adjective

The 5th District saw more than double the amount of votes cast in its Congressional primary than in the 4th, and the gap in support between candidates was much more decisive.

— Angela Eichhorst, Hartford Courant, 13 Aug. 2026
Stern’s decisive response to the Malice at the Palace – the suspensions of the players as well as the punishments meted out to the fans – sent a clear message that such behavior would not be tolerated.

— Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of decisive

Adjective

Huang said computing is undergoing its first fundamental technology-platform transition in roughly 60 years, shifting from a traditional model to one centered on artificial intelligence.

— , CNBC, 11 Aug. 2026
Instilling those same principles in their replacements are fundamental in the new era.

— Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of fundamental

Adjective

Cyberattacks against critical systems often leave defenders searching for clues outside the machine.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 12 Aug. 2026
Zawiya is home to critical energy infrastructure, including Libya’s largest oil refinery, an export terminal and a power plant.

— ABC News, ABC News, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of critical

Adjective

That connection is ultimately what put Tupac’s life in jeopardy, Davis argued in the book Compton Street Legend, which has become a key piece of evidence in the case against him.

— Andy Rose, CNN Money, 10 Aug. 2026
The event featured Georgia's congressional, Senate, House, and gubernatorial candidates discussing key economic issues affecting the state and nation.

— Riley Bunch, AJC.com, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of key

Adjective

The away end is the only section to pre-date Charlton’s seven-year absence and facilities in there are basic.

— Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2026
The research, published in Chem Circularity, explores a system based on calcium looping, a process that uses the same basic material—limestone—that is already central to cement manufacturing.

— Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of basic

Adjective

Young adult dramas have always been pivotal to Netflix’s programming.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 14 Aug. 2026
For one of the men in particular, the type of hustling, defiant gay life that John Rechy describes in his nonfiction book The Sexual Outlaw is pivotal.

— Emma Sarappo, The Atlantic, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of pivotal

Browse Nearby Words

life

life-and-death

lifeblood

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“Life-and-death.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/life-and-death. Accessed 15 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of life-and-death

adjective

Example Sentences

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