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 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 The drumline loops and VST strings would be over-the-top if the performance weren’t so impassioned, the stakes not literally life-and-death. — Hannah Jocelyn, Pitchfork, 30 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for life-and-death

Recent Examples of Synonyms for life-and-death

Adjective

India has a huge youth population with young voters crucial for future elections.

— Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 25 July 2026
As much as 40% of the swamp’s forest canopy is consumed by insects and their larvae, an activity crucial to nutrient recycling.

— Charles Seabrook, AJC.com, 25 July 2026

Definition of crucial

Adjective

Any aggression against Iran, including our infrastructure, will compel a powerful and decisive response.

— Jim Edwards, Fortune, 23 July 2026
The decisive seventh inning featured a couple of errors on one play for the Rockies following a single up the middle by Dylan Crews with two runners aboard.

— ABC News, ABC News, 22 July 2026

Definition of decisive

Adjective

Pressing is the fundamental quality for every player, even those in creative, attacking positions.

— Michael Cox, New York Times, 22 July 2026
Imagine burning down your life's work just to gain an insider edge against a team that barely knows how to play fundamental baseball.

— Alejandro Avila OutKick, FOXNews.com, 22 July 2026

Definition of fundamental

Adjective

The consensus is that for critical business functions, success depends on rigorously validated, specialized AI tailored to specific workflows, rather than broad, general-purpose solutions.

— TerDawn DeBoe, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026
Instead, most Republicans stood firm in a critical hearing with an administration waging a hugely unpopular war, while Democrats highlighted the gap between its premature victory laps and the current stalemate.

— Arpita Dasika, CNN Money, 22 July 2026

Definition of critical

Adjective

Torres – one of Barcelona’s key men up front – had been having an awful tournament, missing a plethora of chances throughout Spain’s campaign and being benched after starting against Cape Verde.

— Patrick Sung Cuadrado, CNN Money, 20 July 2026
This tour will be key in terms of enhancing existing relationships and trying to attract new business, especially off the back of the buzz created by the World Cup in the States.

— James Pearce, New York Times, 20 July 2026

Definition of key

Adjective

Natalie Boren, an executive VP at recruiter Career Group Companies, responsible for fashion staffing, is surprised how many interviewees cannot muster basic information about a fashion house’s most recent work — or even the creative director’s name.

— Cami Fateh, Vogue, 22 July 2026
The Ring confirmed the basic-cable carry when the fight was made official.

— Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026

Definition of basic

Adjective

The company is seen as pivotal to bringing chip manufacturing back to American soil, following decades of it shifting to Asia.

— Bloomberg, Mercury News, 24 July 2026
Based on the latest economic indicators and South Florida’s calendar of major events, 2027 is shaping up to be a pivotal year for the area’s visitor economy.

— Michael Cheng, The Conversation, 23 July 2026

Definition of pivotal

Browse Nearby Words

life

life-and-death

lifeblood

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Style

“Life-and-death.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/life-and-death. Accessed 26 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of life-and-death

adjective

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