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
The make-or-break talks were meant to head off trade penalties — and promised retaliation from Europe — that could have sent shock waves through economies around the globe.
—
Will Weissert, Chicago Tribune, 27 July 2025
What To Know The negotiations represented a make-or-break moment in escalating trade tensions.
—Adeola Adeosun, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 July 2025
This very much could be the make-or-break season for the Tyler Herro-Bam Adebayo duo.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 26 July 2025
The coming week poses a critical test for the stock market’s record-setting run with a number of make-or-break events — the Federal Reserve ’s rate decision, July jobs report and President Donald Trump’s tariffs deadline.
—Yun Li, CNBC, 25 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for make-or-break
Will Weissert, Chicago Tribune, 27 July 2025
What To Know The negotiations represented a make-or-break moment in escalating trade tensions.
—Adeola Adeosun, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 July 2025
This very much could be the make-or-break season for the Tyler Herro-Bam Adebayo duo.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 26 July 2025
The coming week poses a critical test for the stock market’s record-setting run with a number of make-or-break events — the Federal Reserve ’s rate decision, July jobs report and President Donald Trump’s tariffs deadline.
—Yun Li, CNBC, 25 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for make-or-break
Recent Examples of Synonyms for make-or-break
Adjective
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Carlisle played a crucial role in the passage of the Bottled-in-Bond Act of 1897, a landmark law that established quality and safety standards for American whiskey.—
Amanda Hancock,
The Courier-Journal,
14 Aug. 2025
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As a crucial defense against damage from storms, a strong roof has always had elevated importance in Miami and Broward.—
CD Goette-Luciak,
Miami Herald,
14 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The collapse of the Oxbow Bridge, which linked Cibola in La Paz County to California, poses a serious threat to public health and safety and has cut off a critical access route between the two states, the La Paz County Board of Supervisors said.—
Wren Smetana,
AZCentral.com,
9 Aug. 2025
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Every day across America, transportation officials face the same critical challenges: reducing 40,000 annual traffic fatalities, managing increasingly congested roadways and improving air quality in urban centers.—
David Roberts,
Forbes.com,
8 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Indian officials have recently refuted Trump’s claims of the U.S. playing a pivotal role in ending a conflict with Pakistan in May.—
Nik Popli,
Time,
8 Aug. 2025
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The History of Tech Companies Upskilling Society Looking back at the computer literacy boom of the 1970s and 2000s, tech giants like IBM and Microsoft played pivotal roles, not just by providing tools and resources but by fostering partnerships with educational institutions.—
Gerui Wang,
Forbes.com,
7 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Make-or-break.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/make-or-break. Accessed 19 Aug. 2025.
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