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
Drug discovery — that, of course, is very important, with life-and-death consequences.
—
Steven Strogatz, Quanta Magazine, 7 Nov. 2024
The townspeople’s friendships, romances, and enmities are tangible ways to understand what’s going on here, and their complex bonds help amplify the show’s life-and-death stakes.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 19 Sep. 2024
There are all the hallmarks of the Spanish master: sumptuous interiors splashed with vibrant colors; rich, wordy roles for layered female characters; life-and-death stakes woven into the fabric of the everyday.
—Taylor Antrim, Vogue, 29 Sep. 2024
The life-and-death drama played out in the heart of country music.
—Keith Sharon, USA TODAY, 2 Sep. 2024
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.
Steven Strogatz, Quanta Magazine, 7 Nov. 2024
The townspeople’s friendships, romances, and enmities are tangible ways to understand what’s going on here, and their complex bonds help amplify the show’s life-and-death stakes.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 19 Sep. 2024
There are all the hallmarks of the Spanish master: sumptuous interiors splashed with vibrant colors; rich, wordy roles for layered female characters; life-and-death stakes woven into the fabric of the everyday.
—Taylor Antrim, Vogue, 29 Sep. 2024
The life-and-death drama played out in the heart of country music.
—Keith Sharon, USA TODAY, 2 Sep. 2024
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 23 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share