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
The Supreme Court heard oral arguments last week over whether the federal law—which requires TikTok to separate from parent company ByteDance or else be banned—is in violation of the First Amendment.
—
Alison Durkee, Forbes, 17 Jan. 2025
Tom Brenner/Reuters In November, as Donald Trump and his transition team worked to line up support for his cabinet nominees ahead of the confirmation hearings that began Tuesday with defense secretary pick Pete Hegseth, Team Trump had a message for lawmakers: Support us or else.
—Alexander Mallin, ABC News, 14 Jan. 2025
He’s also accidentally stolen a giant gemstone owned by a Sicilian Mafia bigwig, however, and needs to retrieve it from his liason’s safety deposit box in the building’s vault or else.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 10 Jan. 2025
After the publication in the Los Angeles Times, the story shot around the world and the Soviets, through very polite diplomatic channels, warned the Americans to not try again, or else.
—David Szondy, New Atlas, 4 Jan. 2025
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Alison Durkee, Forbes, 17 Jan. 2025
Tom Brenner/Reuters In November, as Donald Trump and his transition team worked to line up support for his cabinet nominees ahead of the confirmation hearings that began Tuesday with defense secretary pick Pete Hegseth, Team Trump had a message for lawmakers: Support us or else.
—Alexander Mallin, ABC News, 14 Jan. 2025
He’s also accidentally stolen a giant gemstone owned by a Sicilian Mafia bigwig, however, and needs to retrieve it from his liason’s safety deposit box in the building’s vault or else.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 10 Jan. 2025
After the publication in the Los Angeles Times, the story shot around the world and the Soviets, through very polite diplomatic channels, warned the Americans to not try again, or else.
—David Szondy, New Atlas, 4 Jan. 2025
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 22 Jan. 2025.
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