all-or-nothing

adjective

all-or-noth·​ing

ˌȯl-ər-ˈnə-thiŋ

1

: all-or-none

2

a

: accepting no less than everything

he's an all-or-nothing perfectionist

b

: risking everything

an all-or-nothing combat strategy

Examples of all-or-nothing in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

His all-or-nothing strategy of wildcat provocations that often sacrifice his pawns increasingly conflicts with Andor’s desire for stability, and with the requirements of the Rebellion’s growing ranks, who are in need of hierarchy and management—bureaucrats, not assassins. —Kyle Chayka, New Yorker, 21 May 2025

This speaks to the desire to be able to prioritize convenience, financial flexibility, cost efficiency or risk management and provides a balanced alternative to an all-or-nothing reliance on one payment method. —Rick Watkin, Forbes.com, 20 May 2025

The first season of the series saw 1,000 contestants via for a $5 million cash prize, however that prize was doubled in a high stakes all-or-nothing gamble late in the season. —Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 12 May 2025

The case, originally filed in 2012, accused Sutter of attempting to amass monopoly power in northern California through all-or-nothing contracts, requiring insurers to include all of its hospitals and physician groups in health plans. —Annika Merrilees, Sacbee.com, 26 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1764, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for all-or-nothing

• nothing

Medical Definition

all-or-nothing

adjective

all-or-noth·​ing -ˈnəth-iŋ 

: all-or-none