life-or-death

[lahyf-er-deth]

adjective

1. life-and-death.

Word History and Origins

Origin of life-or-death¹

First recorded in 1680–90

Example Sentences

This is the human cycle, a tale as old as time that takes on a grim new undertone in a time when matters feel very much life-or-death.

Read more on Salon

To stay or go is a life-or-death calculation.

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A reimagining of Akira Kurosawa’s 1963 thriller “High and Low,” “Highest 2 Lowest” stars Washington as a wealthy music mogul whose livelihood is threatened by a life-or-death ransom demand.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

“Rebirth” does, of course, boast plenty of tense, life-or-death moments of nail-biting tension.

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If they had, the life-or-death risks could have been avoided.

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Related Words

• basic 
• critical 
• crucial 
• decisive 
• fundamental 
• imperative 
• important 
• indispensable 
• integral 
• key 
• meaningful 
• necessary 
• needed 
• significant 
• urgent