variants
also life-or-death
as in crucial
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Recent Examples of life-and-death
The townspeople’s friendships, romances, and enmities are tangible ways to understand what’s going on here, and their complex bonds help amplify the show’s life-and-death stakes.
—
Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 19 Sep. 2024
There are all the hallmarks of the Spanish master: sumptuous interiors splashed with vibrant colors; rich, wordy roles for layered female characters; life-and-death stakes woven into the fabric of the everyday.
—Taylor Antrim, Vogue, 29 Sep. 2024
The life-and-death drama played out in the heart of country music.
—Keith Sharon, USA TODAY, 2 Sep. 2024
Scientists have also suspected that those species’ role is so important that their loss could have life-and-death consequences for human beings.
—Dylan Scott, Vox, 2 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for life-and-death 
Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 19 Sep. 2024
There are all the hallmarks of the Spanish master: sumptuous interiors splashed with vibrant colors; rich, wordy roles for layered female characters; life-and-death stakes woven into the fabric of the everyday.
—Taylor Antrim, Vogue, 29 Sep. 2024
The life-and-death drama played out in the heart of country music.
—Keith Sharon, USA TODAY, 2 Sep. 2024
Scientists have also suspected that those species’ role is so important that their loss could have life-and-death consequences for human beings.
—Dylan Scott, Vox, 2 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for life-and-death
Recent Examples of Synonyms for life-and-death
Adjective
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Solving a key pain point for or with a colleague early on can be a powerful way to build these crucial relationships.—
Andrew Block,
Forbes,
10 Jan. 2025
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In the case of the disaster that is now unfolding, the unusually dry conditions played a crucial role in setting the stage for extreme wildfires; a similarly powerful windstorm in Pasadena in December 2011 was preceded by a damp November, helping to prevent any significant fires.—
Ned Kleiner,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Putin is gambling that Russia can outlast Ukraine, believing that without decisive Western aid, Ukrainian morale and resources will collapse.—
John Mac Ghlionn,
Newsweek,
14 Jan. 2025
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Protecting the Future The rise of Red Note demands action—not panic, but thoughtful, decisive measures to safeguard people and democratic principles.—
Jason Snyder,
Forbes,
14 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Editor’s picks Lynch saw Transcendental Meditation as fundamental to his survival as an artist in Hollywood.—
Claire Hoffman,
Rolling Stone,
18 Jan. 2025
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The token's success could depend as much on sustaining community enthusiasm as on any fundamental factors.—
Boaz Sobrado,
Forbes,
18 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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His durability will be critical to maximizing his impact upon returning to the lineup.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
19 Jan. 2025
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Trump has often been critical of Chicago, which has some of the country’s strongest protections for people in the country without legal status.—
Todd Richmond and Elliot Spagat,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said that this rule has been in development for a long time with key shareholders.—
Michelle Stoddart,
ABC News,
13 Jan. 2025
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Moore’s questionable, pass-heavy play-calling in key spots of Sunday’s Eagles playoff win was the latest reason why.—
Pat Leonard,
New York Daily News,
13 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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The vast majority of Redditors sided with the teenager, with many saying that asking someone to accommodate house guests during a visit is okay — but not at the cost of basic essentials such as warmth.—
Toria Sheffield,
People.com,
18 Jan. 2025
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This period, a decade after the end of the Korean War, is often depicted—by my parents’ generation, who were children at the time, and later in books, film, and TV—as one of hunger and hardship, of basic survival.—
E. Tammy Kim,
The New Yorker,
18 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Robertson had been riding a wave of momentum leading into the playoff matchup, having played a pivotal role in Detroit's Week 18 victory over the Minnesota Vikings.—
David Faris,
Newsweek,
19 Jan. 2025
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Across the centuries, storytelling has played a pivotal role in preserving African American history and culture.—
Matt Friedman,
CNN,
19 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near life-and-death
Cite this Entry
“Life-and-death.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/life-and-death. Accessed 22 Jan. 2025.
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