or else
idiom
1
—used to say what will happen if something is not done
You have to leave or else you will be arrested for trespassing.
2
—used to say what another possibility is
He either thinks he can't do it or else he just isn't interested.
3
informal
—used in angry speech to express a threat without saying exactly what the threat is
Do what I say or else!
Examples of or else in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The rest of the league would just need to make sure the Dodgers don't re-sign him or else the league could legitimately be run through the Dodgers.
—
Zach Pressnell, Newsweek, 31 Dec. 2024
Stubborn issues, like the need to make Lac La Belle Drive into a more suitable road or else nearly eliminate traffic, is beyond the village's means.
—Jim Riccioli, Journal Sentinel, 19 Dec. 2024
Trump talks tough on China, but there’s hopes of a better relationship between Washington and Beijing, or else things could get tricky.
—Jim Cramer, CNBC, 13 Dec. 2024
Directors of great marital melodramas either haven’t had such worries or else have been more at ease with the autobiographical aspects of their art.
—Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 13 Dec. 2024
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Zach Pressnell, Newsweek, 31 Dec. 2024
Stubborn issues, like the need to make Lac La Belle Drive into a more suitable road or else nearly eliminate traffic, is beyond the village's means.
—Jim Riccioli, Journal Sentinel, 19 Dec. 2024
Trump talks tough on China, but there’s hopes of a better relationship between Washington and Beijing, or else things could get tricky.
—Jim Cramer, CNBC, 13 Dec. 2024
Directors of great marital melodramas either haven’t had such worries or else have been more at ease with the autobiographical aspects of their art.
—Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 13 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for or else
Dictionary Entries Near or else
Cite this Entry
“Or else.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/or%20else. Accessed 18 Jan. 2025.
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