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
When her family receives a make-or-break order for 200 dresses at their sewing factory, she is put to work.
—
Raven Brunner, People.com, 29 May 2025
Being on the front end of projects has given Arden a window onto how make-or-break artistic decisions are made.
—Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 27 May 2025
Above all, the make-or-break component for any retail media campaign comes down to store associates.
—Michael Taylor, Forbes.com, 27 May 2025
That could be a make-or-break issue for some Chicago lawmakers.
—Alice Yin, Chicago Tribune, 20 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for make-or-break
Raven Brunner, People.com, 29 May 2025
Being on the front end of projects has given Arden a window onto how make-or-break artistic decisions are made.
—Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 27 May 2025
Above all, the make-or-break component for any retail media campaign comes down to store associates.
—Michael Taylor, Forbes.com, 27 May 2025
That could be a make-or-break issue for some Chicago lawmakers.
—Alice Yin, Chicago Tribune, 20 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for make-or-break
Recent Examples of Synonyms for make-or-break
Adjective
-
Victor Olofsson injected crucial secondary scoring (15 goals in 56 games) at a dirt-cheap $1.075 million rate.—
Harman Dayal,
New York Times,
15 June 2025
-
Memphis fell in the standings toward the end of the year, and this offseason was already going to be a crucial one.—
Matt Levine,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 June 2025
Adjective
-
The project received the worst critical and fan reviews of any Trek title (even a tad lower than 1989’s notorious Star Trek V: The Final Frontier).—
James Hibberd,
HollywoodReporter,
12 June 2025
-
That’s a detail that could prove critical to Overture’s feasibility for overland travel.—
Nicole Hoey,
Robb Report,
12 June 2025
Adjective
-
At a venue like Winged Foot, similar length proved pivotal in Bryson DeChambeau’s 2020 victory, an encouraging precedent for James.—
Tim Corlett,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2025
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Cassidy said Kennedy also pledged to keep in place a pivotal independent advisory panel on vaccine policy.—
Nathaniel Weixel,
The Hill,
12 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Make-or-break.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/make-or-break. Accessed 24 Jun. 2025.
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