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
Those could be make-or-break investments for many companies that are likely years away from a product that could see widespread use.
—
ArsTechnica, 25 May 2026
Yes, definitely a make-or-break year for Guyton, in my opinion.
—Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 May 2026
Adelman insisted that his team demonstrated competitive spirit, citing the make-or-break league as an explanation for the loss.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 26 Apr. 2026
The year was 1976 and Thin Lizzy — still a marginal band, at best, in America — was putting the finishing touches on Jailbreak, a make-or-break album for their label.
—Devon Ivie, Vulture, 24 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for make-or-break
ArsTechnica, 25 May 2026
Yes, definitely a make-or-break year for Guyton, in my opinion.
—Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 May 2026
Adelman insisted that his team demonstrated competitive spirit, citing the make-or-break league as an explanation for the loss.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 26 Apr. 2026
The year was 1976 and Thin Lizzy — still a marginal band, at best, in America — was putting the finishing touches on Jailbreak, a make-or-break album for their label.
—Devon Ivie, Vulture, 24 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for make-or-break
Recent Examples of Synonyms for make-or-break
Adjective
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In the final two minutes, Salaün grabbed two crucial rebounds, hit two free throws, and knocked down a clutch jumper that gave Golden State a 87-84 lead.—
Nathan Canilao,
Mercury News,
29 May 2026
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In his last three years with the program, Vizakis was crucial in helping the Warriors compile a 38-1 record, resulting in two Super Bowl championships.—
Brendan Connelly,
Boston Herald,
29 May 2026
Adjective
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Suzanne Swierc Ball State University agreed to pay $225,000 to its former health director, Suzanne Swierc, after she was fired for making a critical social media post following Kirk's assassination, according to reporting from IndyStar, part of the USA TODAY Network.—
Drew Pittock,
USA Today,
2 June 2026
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Studying the history of the Winkie and Lord, Miller, and Muntadas’s video anthology offers us perhaps an alternative path out of our current critical doom loop.—
Jonathan Odden,
Artforum,
2 June 2026
Adjective
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Trivia questions, the barrier for entry, center around pivotal women in history.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
29 May 2026
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That makes their result a pivotal statement not only about the chemistry that supports life, but also about whether quantum computers are needed to understand it.—
Quanta Magazine,
Quanta Magazine,
29 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Make-or-break.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/make-or-break. Accessed 4 Jun. 2026.
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