as in crucial
resulting in either definite success or definite failure
a make-or-break decision The next year will be a make-or-break time for the company.
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of make-or-break
The Giants regressed in 2023, going 6-11, making what people thought the 2024 season to be a make-or-break season for the coach and general manager.
—
Ryan Canfield, Fox News, 10 Jan. 2025
Asked last week if Richardson is entering a make-or-break year in 2025, Steichen danced around the question, as he’s done several times regarding his quarterback.
—James Boyd, The Athletic, 6 Jan. 2025
Hurricane recovery This could be a make-or-break year for business owners and residents still grappling with hurricane damage.
—Kathryn Varn, Axios, 3 Jan. 2025
Leadership capability is a make-or-break factor for private equity portfolio company growth and success.
—Dan Hawkins, Forbes, 26 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for make-or-break 
Ryan Canfield, Fox News, 10 Jan. 2025
Asked last week if Richardson is entering a make-or-break year in 2025, Steichen danced around the question, as he’s done several times regarding his quarterback.
—James Boyd, The Athletic, 6 Jan. 2025
Hurricane recovery This could be a make-or-break year for business owners and residents still grappling with hurricane damage.
—Kathryn Varn, Axios, 3 Jan. 2025
Leadership capability is a make-or-break factor for private equity portfolio company growth and success.
—Dan Hawkins, Forbes, 26 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for make-or-break
Recent Examples of Synonyms for make-or-break
Adjective
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The three keys to victory became a crucial part of the Titans’ identity.—
Chad Graff,
The Athletic,
22 Jan. 2025
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Leading 4-2 with 12 minutes left to play, Benfica looked on course for a crucial victory to boost its chances of reaching the latter stages of the competition.—
George Ramsay,
CNN,
22 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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This convergence of opportunity and uncertainty sets the stage for a critical inflection point.—
Jason Snyder,
Forbes,
19 Jan. 2025
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Even still, despite being a critical success, with only a limited release, the film was a relative dud at the box office.—
Harrison Richlin,
IndieWire,
19 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Robertson had been riding a wave of momentum leading into the playoff matchup, having played a pivotal role in Detroit's Week 18 victory over the Minnesota Vikings.—
David Faris,
Newsweek,
19 Jan. 2025
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Biden chose South Carolina for the last trip of his presidency after the state was pivotal to propel him to victory in 2020.—
Alex Gangitano,
The Hill,
19 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near make-or-break
Cite this Entry
“Make-or-break.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/make-or-break. Accessed 1 Feb. 2025.
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