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
President Donald Trump’s Education Department has a simple message to schools: ban all diversity, equity and inclusion at school or else.
—
Rebecca Morin, USA TODAY, 20 Feb. 2025
At 28-27, tied for ninth place in the Western Conference, something will have to change or else the Warriors will enter the postseason in a position that has never produced a champion.
—Evan Webeck, The Mercury News, 19 Feb. 2025
The kind of heat that really matters in baseball these days is the heat being felt by the teams, front offices and managers that are under the most pressure to make 2025 the year — or else.
—Jayson Stark, The Athletic, 17 Feb. 2025
Additionally, the council noted that there aren’t viable alternative sites for the solar farm, which, therefore, must be built on the landfill site or else potentially set back the city's climate goals.
—Ashley Belanger, Ars Technica, 14 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for or else
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Rebecca Morin, USA TODAY, 20 Feb. 2025
At 28-27, tied for ninth place in the Western Conference, something will have to change or else the Warriors will enter the postseason in a position that has never produced a champion.
—Evan Webeck, The Mercury News, 19 Feb. 2025
The kind of heat that really matters in baseball these days is the heat being felt by the teams, front offices and managers that are under the most pressure to make 2025 the year — or else.
—Jayson Stark, The Athletic, 17 Feb. 2025
Additionally, the council noted that there aren’t viable alternative sites for the solar farm, which, therefore, must be built on the landfill site or else potentially set back the city's climate goals.
—Ashley Belanger, Ars Technica, 14 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for or else
Cite this Entry
“Or else.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/or%20else. Accessed 10 Mar. 2025.
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