ei·ther-or
ˌē-t͟hər-ˈȯr 
also ˌī-
: an unavoidable choice or exclusive division between only two alternatives
: of or marked by either-or : black-and-white
Examples of either-or in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Katie Campione, Deadline, 12 Aug. 2024
But the Trump team is wrong to frame this as an either-or proposition.
—Jake Sullivan, Foreign Affairs, 5 Mar. 2018
The choice between some higher density housing and community interests is not an either-or choice.
—Sam Kmack, The Arizona Republic, 9 July 2024
Not an either-or Unless a cultural shift occurs, Americans are not likely to swap out pyrotechnics en masse for Independence Day celebrations anytime soon.
—Adriana Pérez, Chicago Tribune, 30 June 2024
In between these scales are complex layers of policies and practices that defy either-or explanations.
—Jeremy Adelman, Foreign Affairs, 20 Apr. 2015
Perhaps the problem is looking at the choice as an either-or, Swanson said.
—Joel Mathis, theweek, 20 Mar. 2024
All these omissions lead to a rigid, either-or, black-and-white atmosphere.
—Zachary Woolfe, New York Times, 22 Dec. 2023
But in such an either-or gambit, only one path is correct.
—Siobhan Roberts Chloë Ellingson, New York Times, 3 Nov. 2023
Noun
Jenn’s fellow former Bachelor contestants Daisy and Kelsey are there to help guide them through a series of either-or questions that will force them to compromise with one another and, in the process, learn more about each other.
—Katie Campione, Deadline, 12 Aug. 2024
But the Trump team is wrong to frame this as an either-or proposition.
—Jake Sullivan, Foreign Affairs, 5 Mar. 2018
The choice between some higher density housing and community interests is not an either-or choice.
—Sam Kmack, The Arizona Republic, 9 July 2024
Not an either-or Unless a cultural shift occurs, Americans are not likely to swap out pyrotechnics en masse for Independence Day celebrations anytime soon.
—Adriana Pérez, Chicago Tribune, 30 June 2024
In between these scales are complex layers of policies and practices that defy either-or explanations.
—Jeremy Adelman, Foreign Affairs, 20 Apr. 2015
Perhaps the problem is looking at the choice as an either-or, Swanson said.
—Joel Mathis, theweek, 20 Mar. 2024
All these omissions lead to a rigid, either-or, black-and-white atmosphere.
—Zachary Woolfe, New York Times, 22 Dec. 2023
But in such an either-or gambit, only one path is correct.
—Siobhan Roberts Chloë Ellingson, New York Times, 3 Nov. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'either-or.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near either-or
Cite this Entry
“Either-or.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/either-or. Accessed 6 Oct. 2024.
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