all-or-nothing

adjective

all-or-noth·ing

ˌȯl-ər-ˈnə-thiŋ

: all-or-none

: accepting no less than everything

he's an all-or-nothing perfectionist

: 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.

While striving for excellence can be motivating in some areas, this all-or-nothing mentality often leads to rigid expectations that are unsustainable. —

Mark Travers, Forbes, 3 Dec. 2024 The debate is largely framed as an all-or-nothing proposition. —

Craig Peters, Fortune, 2 Dec. 2024 Council President Mitra Jalali has likened the city’s existing menu of options for errant property owners to an all-or-nothing approach. —

Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 29 Nov. 2024 Philanthropy, however, does not have to be an all-or-nothing proposition. —

Robert Reiss, Forbes, 27 Nov. 2024 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

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“All-or-nothing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/all-or-nothing. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.

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