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 Digital advances also raise pressing questions about the ethics of outsourcing life-and-death decisions to machines. — Phillips Payson O’Brien, The Atlantic, 18 July 2026 The life-and-death rescue played out on a narrow suspension cable above shocked motorists, pedestrians and the gleaming water below the bridge. — Kerry Burke, New York Daily News, 9 July 2026 For our hunter-gatherer ancestors, getting enough of these critical nutrients was a daily life-and-death struggle. — Sandee Lamotte, CNN Money, 17 June 2026 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 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
  • That was crucial, as cockpit doors are typically locked to prevent hijackings.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Berkshire Hathaway held a major GM stake when Barra became CEO, and Buffett delivered a crucial vote of confidence in her leadership amid the 2014 recall crisis.
    — Alyson Shontell, Fortune, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of crucial
Adjective
  • Every action is decisive and cannot be reversed, just as the film runs ever forward through the projector.
    — Harmon Siegel, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2026
  • The decisive Game 3 is scheduled for Thursday night in Las Vegas.
    — Jackson Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of decisive
Adjective
  • Saltwater sensor mimics sensory cells Unlike conventional touch sensors, which detect pressure and produce electronic signals through different mechanisms, the new device attempts to replicate a fundamental process in biological sensory cells.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 29 Sep. 2026
  • The assistant’s ability to select products and complete purchases on behalf of users marks a fundamental shift in the way that individuals go online and complete purchases of physical and digital goods and services.
    — Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of fundamental
Adjective
  • But expanding domestic and allied capacity to manufacture the most critical medicines and ingredients — and maintain adequate strategic reserves — would dramatically reduce China’s leverage in any future crisis.
    — Patrick McHenry, STAT, 30 Sep. 2026
  • Meanwhile, the Oklahoma Hospital Association reports critical shortages of health care workers across the state.
    — Sydney Lake, Fortune, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of critical
Adjective
  • In the months that followed, Madonna staged key activations including a rave at West Hollywood’s Abbey and a performance in partnership with Grindr at New York City’s Times Square.
    — Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 28 Sep. 2026
  • Subtlety and functionality are key, also in areas where others might have emphasized more architectural details.
    — Kathryn O’Shea-Evans, Robb Report, 27 Sep. 2026
Definition of key
Adjective
  • There is a similar ambivalence to Lee’s reiterative combinations of a few basic elements.
    — Barry Schwabsky, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Highlighting ingredients is paramount with basic, but bountiful baskets of whole organic veggies on offer for a whopping 18€ for two people.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of basic
Adjective
  • California will play a pivotal role in determining the control of Congress.
    — Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 30 Sep. 2026
  • This engineering hurdle explains why the Fujikura contract is so pivotal.
    — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 30 Sep. 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 4 Oct. 2026.

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