as in crucial
resulting in either definite success or definite failure
a make-or-break decision The next year will be a make-or-break time for the company.
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of make-or-break
That means an absence from even a single Republican senator could make-or-break what is likely to be a razor-thin margin.
—
Marissa Meador, IndyStar, 12 Dec. 2025
China’s updated five-year plan frames the coming half-decade as a make-or-break effort supported by government funding and tax breaks to incentivize private companies to spend more on research.
—Charlie Campbell, Time, 11 Dec. 2025
This is a make-or-break season for Sutton because of this.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 5 Dec. 2025
Nonprofits do much of society’s heavy lifting, and, for them, this is make-or-break season.
—Teri Sforza, Oc Register, 26 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for make-or-break
Marissa Meador, IndyStar, 12 Dec. 2025
China’s updated five-year plan frames the coming half-decade as a make-or-break effort supported by government funding and tax breaks to incentivize private companies to spend more on research.
—Charlie Campbell, Time, 11 Dec. 2025
This is a make-or-break season for Sutton because of this.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 5 Dec. 2025
Nonprofits do much of society’s heavy lifting, and, for them, this is make-or-break season.
—Teri Sforza, Oc Register, 26 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for make-or-break
Recent Examples of Synonyms for make-or-break
Adjective
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Published in Aerospace Science and Technology, the study describes that the Accurate prediction of aerodynamic drag characteristics across a wide range of wing-body configurations is crucial in the early design stages of transonic commercial transport aircraft.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
7 Nov. 2025
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On Wednesday, investigators recovered the plane’s black boxes — the cockpit voice recorder and the flight data recorder — which could hold crucial information about what led to the disaster.—
Alexandra Banner,
CNN Money,
6 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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This trend accelerated in December as the flag state emerged as a critical shield against drone strikes and vessel seizures.—
Emma Bussey,
FOXNews.com,
7 Jan. 2026
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The musical movies have received critical acclaim, and the second film earned five total nominations at this year's Globes — one more than the 2025 Golden Globes.—
Charna Flam,
PEOPLE,
7 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Then, on the pivotal play of the game, Becht ran untouched for nine yards on a great play call by coach Matt Campbell to ice the game.—
Steven Johnson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
9 Nov. 2025
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Tiger Woods' son, Charlie Woods, has capped off a pivotal year in his junior golf career by earning a spot on the prestigious 2025 Rolex Junior All-America First Team, a recognition awarded by the American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) to the top junior golfers in the world.—
Julio Cesar Valdera Morales,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Make-or-break.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/make-or-break. Accessed 9 Jan. 2026.
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