variants
also life-or-death
as in crucial
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of life-and-death
As time starts running out, emotions intensify, resulting in a love triangle with life-and-death stakes.
—
Matt Grobar, Deadline, 19 Nov. 2024
Look how Miami looked at home: Three turnovers, 206 rushing yards allowed and 34 points surrendered in a life-and-death battle against 2-2 Virginia Tech, whose two wins came against Marshall and Old Dominion (Its two losses were against Rutgers and Vanderbilt).
—Dave Hyde, Sun Sentinel, 28 Sep. 2024
Drug discovery — that, of course, is very important, with life-and-death consequences.
—Steven Strogatz, Quanta Magazine, 7 Nov. 2024
The townspeople’s friendships, romances, and enmities are tangible ways to understand what’s going on here, and their complex bonds help amplify the show’s life-and-death stakes.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 19 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for life-and-death 
Matt Grobar, Deadline, 19 Nov. 2024
Look how Miami looked at home: Three turnovers, 206 rushing yards allowed and 34 points surrendered in a life-and-death battle against 2-2 Virginia Tech, whose two wins came against Marshall and Old Dominion (Its two losses were against Rutgers and Vanderbilt).
—Dave Hyde, Sun Sentinel, 28 Sep. 2024
Drug discovery — that, of course, is very important, with life-and-death consequences.
—Steven Strogatz, Quanta Magazine, 7 Nov. 2024
The townspeople’s friendships, romances, and enmities are tangible ways to understand what’s going on here, and their complex bonds help amplify the show’s life-and-death stakes.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 19 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for life-and-death
Recent Examples of Synonyms for life-and-death
Adjective
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Is the alliance not crucial to deterring the Kremlin’s aggression and expansionism?—
Jay Nordlinger,
National Review,
3 Feb. 2025
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The military prefers to cycle forces in and out of the places where deterrence is most crucial, which requires maintaining several soldiers at home for each one overseas.—
Dexter Filkins,
The New Yorker,
3 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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The Seahawks scored a decisive 43-8 win over the Denver Broncos to claim the franchise’s first Super Bowl title.—
Vic Tafur,
The Athletic,
24 Jan. 2025
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Jeff Buckley’s life started with both an act of embrace and a decisive abandonment.—
Harrison Richlin,
IndieWire,
24 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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According to OpenAI, the new partnership will involve scientists using OpenAI’s technology to enhance cybersecurity to protect the U.S. power grid, identify new approaches to treating and preventing diseases and deepen understanding of fundamental mathematics and physics.—
Hayden Field,
NBC News,
30 Jan. 2025
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From today’s episode: Scientists have discovered that asteroid samples contain many of the chemical building blocks of life, including the fundamental components of what genetic molecule?—
CNN,
CNN,
30 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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According to the outlet, Acosta was opposed to the idea of the move, and wondered whether the network’s reorganization of its lineup was part of a move to sideline journalists that had been critical of President Donald Trump in the past.—
Julia Moore,
People.com,
31 Jan. 2025
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Rubio in the interview said the Arctic was going to become critical for shipping lanes, adding that the United States needs to be able to defend that and warning that U.S. rival China may seek to develop its presence.—
USA TODAY,
USA TODAY,
31 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Mutual respect and a willingness to compromise are also key.—
Contributed Content,
Twin Cities,
7 Feb. 2025
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Middleton, 33, was a key member of the Bucks team that won the NBA Finals in 2021, but the forward has struggled to stay healthy in recent years and largely came off the bench this season.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
6 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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The district’s fourth-graders fared better in math: 65% scored at or above basic in math last year, the same percentage as 2022.—
Silas Allen,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
29 Jan. 2025
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Larger rivals that control much of the U.S. market have also made inroads with basic economy fares, which aim to compete with the bare-bones tickets that were at one time the backbone of Frontier and Spirit.—
Leslie Josephs,
CNBC,
29 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Moore played a pivotal role in crafting one of the NFL's top rushing offenses this season, propelling Saquon Barkley to being the league's top rusher and within spitting distance of the all-time record.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
31 Jan. 2025
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Three of President Donald Trump's most polarizing secretary nominees ‒ Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Tulsi Gabbard and Kash Patel ‒ face a grilling from lawmakers during a pivotal day of Senate confirmation hearings Thursday.—
Joey Garrison,
USA TODAY,
31 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near life-and-death
Cite this Entry
“Life-and-death.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/life-and-death. Accessed 9 Feb. 2025.
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