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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Recent Examples of make-or-break
Florida’s performance — in the epitome of a make-or-break game — was representative of everything the program has become.
—
Noah White, Miami Herald, 21 Sep. 2025
The first preseason game is far from a make-or-break proposition for seasoned veterans, who are just trying to shake the rust off.
—Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 21 Sep. 2025
Technical reliability is a make-or-break factor when considering industrial integration.
—Peter Bendor-Samuel, Forbes.com, 12 Sep. 2025
The Greek show will have a 12-meter-high Wall, with two players per episode facing the make-or-break questions, and a cash prize of up to €350,000 ($408,000).
—Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 4 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for make-or-break
Noah White, Miami Herald, 21 Sep. 2025
The first preseason game is far from a make-or-break proposition for seasoned veterans, who are just trying to shake the rust off.
—Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 21 Sep. 2025
Technical reliability is a make-or-break factor when considering industrial integration.
—Peter Bendor-Samuel, Forbes.com, 12 Sep. 2025
The Greek show will have a 12-meter-high Wall, with two players per episode facing the make-or-break questions, and a cash prize of up to €350,000 ($408,000).
—Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 4 Sep. 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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The shutdown has disrupted federal operations, delayed pay for hundreds of thousands of workers, and put critical programs at risk.—
Deputy News Editor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Nov. 2025
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Some fans were critical of Chiefs general manager Brett Veach when the team failed to make a deal last week ahead of the NFL’s trade deadline.—
Pete Grathoff,
Kansas City Star,
10 Nov. 2025
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 29 Nov. 2025.
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