or else
idiom
1
—used to say what will happen if something is not done
You have to leave or else you will be arrested for trespassing.
2
—used to say what another possibility is
He either thinks he can't do it or else he just isn't interested.
3
informal
—used in angry speech to express a threat without saying exactly what the threat is
Do what I say or else!
Examples of or else in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Two weeks ago, the U.S. gave Israel 30 days to get humanitarian aid to those who need assistance or else risk losing the supply of U.S. offensive weapons under a long-standing U.S. law.
—
Andrea Mitchell, NBC News, 28 Oct. 2024
The two versions cannot coexist, however, so Elizabeth must alternate between herself and her alternate every seven days—or else.
—Elissa Suh, Vogue, 18 Sep. 2024
TikTok on Monday will make its case in court against a bill that would require it to be divested by its Chinese parent company, Bytedance, or else risk a nationwide ban.
—Dan Primack, Axios, 16 Sep. 2024
In around the world in 80 days, on the final leg of his adventures, Jules Verne’s famous hero Phileas Fogg has to get from the U.S. back to the U.K. or else lose his bet.
—Clem Chambers, Forbes, 10 Oct. 2024
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Andrea Mitchell, NBC News, 28 Oct. 2024
The two versions cannot coexist, however, so Elizabeth must alternate between herself and her alternate every seven days—or else.
—Elissa Suh, Vogue, 18 Sep. 2024
TikTok on Monday will make its case in court against a bill that would require it to be divested by its Chinese parent company, Bytedance, or else risk a nationwide ban.
—Dan Primack, Axios, 16 Sep. 2024
In around the world in 80 days, on the final leg of his adventures, Jules Verne’s famous hero Phileas Fogg has to get from the U.S. back to the U.K. or else lose his bet.
—Clem Chambers, Forbes, 10 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for or else
Dictionary Entries Near or else
Cite this Entry
“Or else.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/or%20else. Accessed 8 Nov. 2024.
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