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.
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of make-or-break
This could be a make-or-break postseason.
—
The Athletic Nba Staff, New York Times, 13 Apr. 2026
Behind the barricades, diplomatic activity is operating at a fever pitch as the world holds its breath for this weekend’s make-or-break ceasefire talks between the United States and Iran.
—Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 9 Apr. 2026
Glenn will also be the defensive play-caller this season, in what some perceive to be a make-or-break year.
—Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 1 Apr. 2026
Continue reading … POLITICS FUNDING FIGHT — Senate faces make-or-break DHS funding vote as DHS shutdown continues.
—FOXNews.com, 30 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for make-or-break
The Athletic Nba Staff, New York Times, 13 Apr. 2026
Behind the barricades, diplomatic activity is operating at a fever pitch as the world holds its breath for this weekend’s make-or-break ceasefire talks between the United States and Iran.
—Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 9 Apr. 2026
Glenn will also be the defensive play-caller this season, in what some perceive to be a make-or-break year.
—Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 1 Apr. 2026
Continue reading … POLITICS FUNDING FIGHT — Senate faces make-or-break DHS funding vote as DHS shutdown continues.
—FOXNews.com, 30 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for make-or-break
Recent Examples of Synonyms for make-or-break
Adjective
-
Attenborough matters because, for generations of TV viewers, in scores of countries, he has been regarded as the person who best understands one crucial purpose of the medium—who has made the most fruitful use of what television, uniquely, can be for.—
Anthony Lane,
New Yorker,
8 May 2026
-
Arsenal are firmly in title-chasing mode and goal difference could still prove crucial, despite Manchester City slipping up against Everton on Monday.—
Abdul Rehman,
New York Times,
7 May 2026
Adjective
-
Three residents died at the scene, while five more were hospitalized with critical injuries, FDNY officials said.—
Colin Mixson,
New York Daily News,
5 May 2026
-
As Mercury squares Pluto, feedback or a conversation may feel more intense or critical than expected.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
5 May 2026
Adjective
-
But what makes this offseason a pivotal moment for them is the additional tax rate known as the repeater tax — a more severe financial penalty based on five-year windows, incentivizing owners not to spend excessively over the salary cap for prolonged periods.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
8 May 2026
-
Furthermore, Sharpe spent six months learning how to tinkle the ivories, an impressive commitment which pays off during the pivotal piano battles and ensures a welcome absence of clumsy cutaways from fingers to face.—
Jon O'Brien,
IndieWire,
8 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Make-or-break.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/make-or-break. Accessed 12 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
