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 young Washington Liberation Front operative only shows up at the edges, or else the seven-episode season would probably be a lot shorter.
—
Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 26 May 2025
Turning his ire to Apple, Trump warned the tech giant’s CEO Tim Cook to start building its signature smart phone in the U.S. — or else.
—Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 23 May 2025
His son was with him at times or else lived with Akasha’s mother.
—Andy Greenberg, Wired News, 22 May 2025
The characters are constructed so literally, with traits that either directly motivate the action or else are merely ornamental, that the actors may as well be wearing Post-its.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 20 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for or else
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Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 26 May 2025
Turning his ire to Apple, Trump warned the tech giant’s CEO Tim Cook to start building its signature smart phone in the U.S. — or else.
—Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 23 May 2025
His son was with him at times or else lived with Akasha’s mother.
—Andy Greenberg, Wired News, 22 May 2025
The characters are constructed so literally, with traits that either directly motivate the action or else are merely ornamental, that the actors may as well be wearing Post-its.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 20 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for or else
Cite this Entry
“Or else.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/or%20else. Accessed 3 Jun. 2025.
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