for better or (for) worse

phrase

: whether good or bad things happen : no matter what happens
We've made our decision and now we have to stick to it for better or worse.

Examples of for better or (for) worse 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.
In the United States, sports and the military long have been intertwined, for better or for worse. Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 17 Mar. 2026 Along with their contemporaries in the civil-rights movement, these hippies, for better or worse, established the image of protest in this country. Jay Caspian Kang, New Yorker, 17 Mar. 2026 The View's revolving door of guest cohosts keeps multiplying — for better or worse — in Alyssa Farah Griffin's absence. Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 16 Mar. 2026 Passive funds track an index, meaning their performance generally mimics that of their underlying index, for better or worse. Sarah Agostino, CNBC, 25 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for for better or (for) worse

Browse Nearby Words

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“For better or (for) worse.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/for%20better%20or%20%28for%29%20worse. Accessed 4 Aug. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster