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
Aliza Knox, Forbes, 2 Nov. 2024
On its own, the either-or choice is a compelling argument for those voters who expect Presidents to follow the rules they’re charged with enforcing.
—Philip Elliott, TIME, 29 Oct. 2024
Datasets like these don’t come off the shelf and most often require a blend of building and buying, not an either-or scenario.
—Billee Howard, Forbes, 29 Sep. 2024
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Noun
Here are three ways to push back against either-or thinking.
—Aliza Knox, Forbes, 2 Nov. 2024
On its own, the either-or choice is a compelling argument for those voters who expect Presidents to follow the rules they’re charged with enforcing.
—Philip Elliott, TIME, 29 Oct. 2024
Datasets like these don’t come off the shelf and most often require a blend of building and buying, not an either-or scenario.
—Billee Howard, Forbes, 29 Sep. 2024
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
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 15 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share