MAKE-OR-BREAK Synonyms: 38 Similar and Opposite Words

make-or-break

adjective

Definition of make-or-break

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.

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of make-or-break Riley, meanwhile, has not seemed like a head coach who’s feeling the heat heading into a make-or-break season at USC. — Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026 This season feels make-or-break for the 2023 first-round pick, especially because he may not be used as an every-down player. — Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 28 Aug. 2026 Jordan enters 2026 as a senior in a make-or-break campaign for his draft hopes. — Jim Reineking, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026 Key Background Leerink Partners analyst Mani Foroohar wrote in June that Moderna’s late-stage cancer vaccine trial would be a make-or-break event for its stock, with the potential for the experimental drug to work across multiple types of cancer. — Ty Roush, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for make-or-break

Recent Examples of Synonyms for make-or-break

Adjective

Engineers at an Ontario nuclear power station have reached a major milestone in rebuilding a reactor core, finishing a crucial stage almost a month ahead of schedule.

— Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 16 Oct. 2026
But this campaign of attacks deep inside enemy territory has given Ukraine crucial leverage, sparking a major fuel crisis inside Russia.

— Yuliya Talmazan, NBC news, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of crucial

Adjective

The critical need for a crisis communications plan, regardless of the size of your business.

— Janelle Ash , Christina Dugan Ramirez, FOXNews.com, 13 Oct. 2026
If a critical variable exceeds an allowable limit, the safety function overrides the control system regardless of why the controller made its decision.

— Gregory Shahnovsky, Forbes.com, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of critical

Adjective

Castillo flashed a big smile Friday after playing a pivotal role in Yorkville’s 21-7 win at home over Oswego East.

— Rick Armstrong, Chicago Tribune, 14 Oct. 2026
Tagovailoa threw the game-ending interception, leaving Penix’s status for a pivotal Week 6 meeting with the Chicago Bears uncertain.

— Chantz Martin OutKick, FOXNews.com, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of pivotal

Browse Nearby Words

make one's mark

make-or-break

make out

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Make-or-break.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/make-or-break. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of make-or-break

adjective

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

compunction

Popular in Grammar & Usage

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

Did 'orange' the fruit or the color come first?

Popular

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

Games & Quizzes