life-and-death

adjective

variants also life-or-death
Definition of life-and-deathnext
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
  1. crucial
  2. decisive
  3. fundamental
  4. critical
  5. key
  6. basic
  7. pivotal
Adjective
  • Organizations are failing to equip managers with crucial strategic and relational skills, instead focusing on technical AI training for tasks AI will soon automate.
    — Cindy Rodriguez Constable, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
  • At the same time, the war has depleted US munitions, particularly air defense interceptors crucial to stopping attacks on bases.
    — Jennifer A. Dlouhy, Fortune, 31 July 2026
Definition of crucial
Adjective
  • Higher humidity, cooler temperatures and some drizzle raised hopes that Thursday could be a decisive step on the way to vanquishing the fire.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 30 July 2026
  • The quick, decisive defeat marked Rome’s final domination of the peninsula and solidified their influence over regional trade and military routes.
    — Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 30 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
  • Mundo Deportivo corroborates these key figures, while noting that Cancelo only has a year left on his contract at Al-Hilal.
    — Tom Sanderson, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Many schools don’t devote nearly enough time to letting kids play, which is one of the key ways primary school-age children learn.
    — Kara Alaimo, CNN Money, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of key
Adjective
  • This basic primer avoids specific military tactics, instead offering general advice for non-military personnel.
    — Zita Ballinger Fletcher, Forbes.com, 30 July 2026
  • The process starts by inputting your name, address, phone number, email address and a basic description of your project online.
    — Jason Rueger, USA Today, 29 July 2026
Definition of basic
Adjective
  • The Emerging Native Arts Grant is awarded twice a year and provides direct funding, mentorship, and visibility to Native and Indigenous artists at a pivotal stage in their careers.
    — News Desk, Artforum, 31 July 2026
  • Trump’s endorsement proved pivotal for Masterson, securing his status as the presumptive front-runner in the primary race.
    — Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 30 July 2026
Definition of pivotal

Browse Nearby Words

life
life-and-death
lifeblood
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Life-and-death.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/life-and-death. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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