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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of make-or-break
The weekend session could be a make-or-break moment for Trump's party, which has invested much of its political capital on his signature domestic policy plan.
—
Arkansas Online, 29 June 2025
But Carsley knew this could be a make-or-break moment and produced a triple substitution for the second half.
—Art De Roché, New York Times, 28 June 2025
Empower Leaders At Every Level Frontline supervisors are often the make-or-break factor in whether an employee stays.
—Pete First, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025
And on a machine that costs tens, if not hundreds of thousands of dollars, even a 10-percent duty could be make-or-break for a small operation.
—Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 20 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for make-or-break
Arkansas Online, 29 June 2025
But Carsley knew this could be a make-or-break moment and produced a triple substitution for the second half.
—Art De Roché, New York Times, 28 June 2025
Empower Leaders At Every Level Frontline supervisors are often the make-or-break factor in whether an employee stays.
—Pete First, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025
And on a machine that costs tens, if not hundreds of thousands of dollars, even a 10-percent duty could be make-or-break for a small operation.
—Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 20 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for make-or-break
Recent Examples of Synonyms for make-or-break
Adjective
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Both aspects are a crucial part of the Superman story.—
True Tamplin,
Forbes.com,
9 July 2025
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In a crucial leadership change last September, Starbucks appointed Molly Liu, former chief of Starbucks China's digital division, to head its business in the country.—
Anniek Bao,
CNBC,
9 July 2025
Adjective
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From there, the first-year MLS club made two critical defensive errors.—
Tom Krasovic,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
6 July 2025
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States loan the money to cities and towns at low interest rates, enabling communities to spread out the cost of critical government services people take for granted, such as replacing leaky street mains, maintaining treatment plants and rehabbing water towers.—
Michael Hawthorne,
Chicago Tribune,
6 July 2025
Adjective
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Understanding the gravity of a red flag warning and adhering to these precautions is pivotal in reducing the risk of wildfires during these hazardous conditions.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
3 July 2025
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Jota also notably became the first player in Wolves club history to score back-to-back European hat-tricks and was pivotal in their Europa League run.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
3 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Make-or-break.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/make-or-break. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
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