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
A number of the cast and crew have been threatened by the Iranian government to pressure the Cannes Film Festival into dropping the movie, or else.
—
Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 27 Nov. 2024
Suggest that your roommate train her dog and clean up after it immediately — or else.
—Harriette Cole, The Mercury News, 25 Nov. 2024
Alien: Romulus is now streaming exclusively on Hulu, or else available to rent/ purchase from digital platforms like Vudu and Apple TV.
—Josh Weiss, Forbes, 22 Nov. 2024
They are set to be bailed out in two days, and the colony’s bishop demands that the victims forgive them—or else face excommunication and be denied a spot in heaven.
—Ruth Madievsky, The Atlantic, 20 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for or else 
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.
Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 27 Nov. 2024
Suggest that your roommate train her dog and clean up after it immediately — or else.
—Harriette Cole, The Mercury News, 25 Nov. 2024
Alien: Romulus is now streaming exclusively on Hulu, or else available to rent/ purchase from digital platforms like Vudu and Apple TV.
—Josh Weiss, Forbes, 22 Nov. 2024
They are set to be bailed out in two days, and the colony’s bishop demands that the victims forgive them—or else face excommunication and be denied a spot in heaven.
—Ruth Madievsky, The Atlantic, 20 Nov. 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 22 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share