all-or-nothing

adjective

all-or-noth·​ing
ˌȯl-ər-ˈnə-thiŋ
1
2
a
: accepting no less than everything
he's an all-or-nothing perfectionist
b
: risking everything
an all-or-nothing combat strategy

Examples of all-or-nothing in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Resolutions often fail due to an all-or-nothing mindset full of tough self-criticism. Jane Hanson, Forbes, 10 Jan. 2025 The problem with all-or-nothing positions is that those who adopt them usually end up with nothing. Chris Roemer, Baltimore Sun, 9 Jan. 2025 But rigidly focusing on outcomes can lead to all-or-nothing thinking — a distorted mindset in which falling short feels like failure. Chamin Ajjan, Contributor, CNBC, 3 Jan. 2025 Detroit's path to the Super Bowl could take a dramatic turn based on the outcome of Sunday's all-or-nothing showdown at Ford Field against the Minnesota Vikings. Joe Guillen, Axios, 3 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for all-or-nothing 

Word History

First Known Use

1764, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of all-or-nothing was in 1764

Dictionary Entries Near all-or-nothing

Cite this Entry

“All-or-nothing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/all-or-nothing. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.

Medical Definition

all-or-nothing

adjective
all-or-noth·​ing -ˈnəth-iŋ How to pronounce all-or-nothing (audio)

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