life-and-death
adjective
variants
or less commonly life-or-death
: involving or culminating in life or death : vitally important as if involving life or death
Examples of life-and-death in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Such restricted debate on a literally life-and-death issue demonstrates that this isn’t a partisan tactic but rather a troubling shift away from robust public discourse.
—
Josue Sierra, Baltimore Sun, 12 Feb. 2025
The dialogue is mostly terse; each sentence bears the weight of life-and-death implications.
—Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 5 Feb. 2025
On vaccines, Democrats said Kennedy was flip-flopping on a life-and-death issue.
—Alexandra Hutzler, ABC News, 29 Jan. 2025
William eventually makes his way to the church to ask Jamie for help on a life-and-death matter.
—Lincee Ray, EW.com, 18 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for life-and-death 
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.
Josue Sierra, Baltimore Sun, 12 Feb. 2025
The dialogue is mostly terse; each sentence bears the weight of life-and-death implications.
—Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 5 Feb. 2025
On vaccines, Democrats said Kennedy was flip-flopping on a life-and-death issue.
—Alexandra Hutzler, ABC News, 29 Jan. 2025
William eventually makes his way to the church to ask Jamie for help on a life-and-death matter.
—Lincee Ray, EW.com, 18 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for life-and-death
Dictionary Entries Near life-and-death
Cite this Entry
“Life-and-death.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/life-and-death. Accessed 19 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share