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
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
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Assessing a model’s performance has become crucial for businesses to trust and ultimately adopt AI, Ratner said.—
Rashi Shrivastava,
Forbes.com,
3 June 2025
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The timing piece is crucial, but the relationship building is everything.—
Kimberly Wilson,
Essence,
3 June 2025
Adjective
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The timing couldn’t be worse for Harvard: The troubled university currently faces a critical dispute over funding and foreign student visas with the Trump administration.—
Andrew Follett,
National Review,
31 May 2025
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What Happens Next Trump's approval rating could fluctuate in the coming weeks, depending on the outcome of key events, including critical negotiations in the Russia-Ukraine war, the evolving tariff situation and concerns about a recession.—
Martha McHardy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 May 2025
Adjective
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Competing for the pivotal center position are Carter Miller and Cameron Kinnie, both vying to distinguish themselves and seize this critical spot in the lineup.—
Matt Murschel,
The Orlando Sentinel,
31 May 2025
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Chiuri, who joined Dior in 2016 after her tenure at Valentino, has played a pivotal role in reshaping the French fashion house’s identity and product direction.—
Essence,
Essence,
30 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Make-or-break.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/make-or-break. Accessed 14 Jun. 2025.
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