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
Critics, however, argue Gascón’s all-or-nothing policies — which initially blocked prosecutors from filing certain charges or seeking sentencing enhancements in any case — have allowed some defendants to commit repeat offenses without fear of punishment, and blame him for increases in crime.
—
James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2024
Across the decades and leagues in Greater Miami’s sports history, no game played in our own backyard, ever, had presented such a stark, all-or-nothing extreme of unprecedented momentous joy or epic humiliation and infamy — no in-between.
—Greg Cote, Miami Herald, 25 June 2024
People sometimes take an all-or-nothing approach to vulnerability with new friends, but small steps build trust most reliably.
—Emma Nadler, Washington Post, 23 June 2024
The Dodgers’ offense has had its own – much milder – dry spells spaced out in an all-or-nothing pattern over the past month.
—Bill Plunkett, Orange County Register, 14 June 2024
Your ambitious 10th house is hosting the Moon for its monthly visit, giving you a drive to succeed that drive gains further intensity when Luna sextiles Mercury in your all-or-nothing 8th house.
—Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 10 June 2024
Bedridden after a stroke, Wilson rejected any amendments, insisting on an all-or-nothing approach.
—Michael Sheldrick, New York Daily News, 5 Feb. 2024
An all-or-nothing approach isn’t necessarily required.
—Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 6 May 2024
The Heat will issue its injury report for Friday’s all-or-nothing game on Thursday afternoon.
—Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 18 Apr. 2024
James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2024
Across the decades and leagues in Greater Miami’s sports history, no game played in our own backyard, ever, had presented such a stark, all-or-nothing extreme of unprecedented momentous joy or epic humiliation and infamy — no in-between.
—Greg Cote, Miami Herald, 25 June 2024
People sometimes take an all-or-nothing approach to vulnerability with new friends, but small steps build trust most reliably.
—Emma Nadler, Washington Post, 23 June 2024
The Dodgers’ offense has had its own – much milder – dry spells spaced out in an all-or-nothing pattern over the past month.
—Bill Plunkett, Orange County Register, 14 June 2024
Your ambitious 10th house is hosting the Moon for its monthly visit, giving you a drive to succeed that drive gains further intensity when Luna sextiles Mercury in your all-or-nothing 8th house.
—Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 10 June 2024
Bedridden after a stroke, Wilson rejected any amendments, insisting on an all-or-nothing approach.
—Michael Sheldrick, New York Daily News, 5 Feb. 2024
An all-or-nothing approach isn’t necessarily required.
—Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 6 May 2024
The Heat will issue its injury report for Friday’s all-or-nothing game on Thursday afternoon.
—Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 18 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'all-or-nothing.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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 7 Jul. 2024.
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all-or-nothing
adjective
all-or-noth·ing
-ˈnəth-iŋ 
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