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
But the survey makes clear that 2026 is shaping up as a make-or-break year.
—
Roger Dooley, Forbes.com, 5 Jan. 2026
And yes, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-9), Saturday’s make-or-break opponent, have been in a free fall for the past two months — after starting 5-1 with wins over Houston, Seattle and San Francisco.
—Mike Kaye
december 31, Charlotte Observer, 31 Dec. 2025
Saks Global’s make-or-break moment has come.
—Evan Clark, Footwear News, 29 Dec. 2025
The best eye shadow primers could be the make-or-break step that decides whether your look stays flawless or fades before lunchtime.
—Lily Wohlner, Allure, 23 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for make-or-break
Roger Dooley, Forbes.com, 5 Jan. 2026
And yes, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-9), Saturday’s make-or-break opponent, have been in a free fall for the past two months — after starting 5-1 with wins over Houston, Seattle and San Francisco.
—Mike Kaye
december 31, Charlotte Observer, 31 Dec. 2025
Saks Global’s make-or-break moment has come.
—Evan Clark, Footwear News, 29 Dec. 2025
The best eye shadow primers could be the make-or-break step that decides whether your look stays flawless or fades before lunchtime.
—Lily Wohlner, Allure, 23 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for make-or-break
Recent Examples of Synonyms for make-or-break
Adjective
-
Mikel Arteta and his players are facing criticism for not imposing themselves on opposition teams forcefully enough, allowing valuable points to slip through their fingers at such a crucial point of the season.—
Graham Ruthven,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Liberal and conservative polls show the president’s support is cratering across all groups because of ICE’s excesses but especially with independents and Latinos, two constituencies crucial to his 2024 triumph and the future of MAGA.—
Gustavo Arellano,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Hillis Schild, executive director of the fund, said such projects meet critical community needs, but often struggle to secure traditional bank financing.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Nick Geller, managing director of Steadfast LA, highlighted the organization’s emphasis on protecting critical community infrastructure.—
Michelle Edgar,
Daily News,
27 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Kai Wilson added 17 points and two blocks, and Jacob Stewart came off the bench to score eight of his nine points in the pivotal fourth quarter.—
David Delgado,
Oc Register,
23 Jan. 2026
-
What happened over the next two days could prove pivotal in Iran’s history.—
Sarah Dean,
CNN Money,
23 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Make-or-break.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/make-or-break. Accessed 30 Jan. 2026.
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