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
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
The make-or-break moment for CEOs is contributing to an era of rapid turnover among chief executives, Fortune’s Claire Zillman writes.
—Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 23 Mar. 2026
Other organizations might have been a little more reluctant to go into what looked like a make-or-break year with a modest haul of offseason acquisitions headlined by a backup center named Luke Kornet.
—Mike Finger, San Antonio Express-News, 21 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for make-or-break
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
The make-or-break moment for CEOs is contributing to an era of rapid turnover among chief executives, Fortune’s Claire Zillman writes.
—Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 23 Mar. 2026
Other organizations might have been a little more reluctant to go into what looked like a make-or-break year with a modest haul of offseason acquisitions headlined by a backup center named Luke Kornet.
—Mike Finger, San Antonio Express-News, 21 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for make-or-break
Recent Examples of Synonyms for make-or-break
Adjective
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The information provided is crucial in identifying whether the state meets federal requirements for various forms of disaster assistance.—
Mateo Rosiles,
USA Today,
30 Apr. 2026
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Jackie Vece, head of the residents’ association and chief organizer of their campaign, said capping rent increases is crucial.—
Don Stacom,
Hartford Courant,
30 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Dozens of nations push for reopening of strait Dozens of nations repeated calls to open the critical waterway in a joint statement led by Bahrain.—
Samy Magdy,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Apr. 2026
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Those increases are being driven in part by global supply concerns, including ongoing tensions involving Iran and uncertainty surrounding the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for oil shipments.—
Sergio Candido,
CBS News,
27 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The guard’s late-game work on the offensive glass and defensive contributions were pivotal for Boston.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
25 Apr. 2026
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The April 7 announcement by Anthropic — that its new Mythos model was far more powerful and thus far more dangerous than any previous AI tool — increasingly appears to be a pivotal moment in human history.—
U T Editorial Board,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
25 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Make-or-break.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/make-or-break. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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