LIFE-AND-DEATH Synonyms: 22 Similar and Opposite Words

life-and-death

adjective

variants also life-or-death

Definition of life-and-death

as in crucial

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Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of life-and-death Digital advances also raise pressing questions about the ethics of outsourcing life-and-death decisions to machines. — Phillips Payson O’Brien, The Atlantic, 18 July 2026 The life-and-death rescue played out on a narrow suspension cable above shocked motorists, pedestrians and the gleaming water below the bridge. — Kerry Burke, New York Daily News, 9 July 2026 For our hunter-gatherer ancestors, getting enough of these critical nutrients was a daily life-and-death struggle. — Sandee Lamotte, CNN Money, 17 June 2026 The life-and-death stakes were raised when the former high school series jumped five years to show a now-young adult Rue becoming a drug mule and working for rival kingpins (Martha Kelly’s Laurie also took her own life in the finale). — Jackie Strause, HollywoodReporter, 1 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for life-and-death

Recent Examples of Synonyms for life-and-death

Adjective

But anyone who’s yet to see the earlier series need not fret; while Seven Havens makes reference especially to Korra, any crucial details are reestablished within a narrative that’s set nearly two centuries later and stands largely on its own.

— Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 9 Oct. 2026
While Saudi Arabia has considerable military capabilities, experience in Yemen, and powerful allies like Pakistan and Türkiye, active US backing remains crucial, both strategically and politically.

— Faisal J. Abbas, semafor.com, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of crucial

Adjective

Lukas Dostal made 12 saves, stopping just six of 11 shots in the decisive middle period before being replaced to start the third.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 8 Oct. 2026
Public confidence will play a decisive role in the growth of fusion power.

— Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of decisive

Adjective

The 2026 Nobel Prize for Chemistry has been awarded to Henri Kagan of the Universite Paris-Sud, in France, and Kenso Soai of the Tokyo University of Science, in Japan, for their work exploring the fundamental geometry of molecules.

— Adam Kovac, Scientific American, 7 Oct. 2026
Unless there's a dramatic fundamental change in the dynamic, Democrats are on pace to capture the Senate and House majorities in November.

— Nathan Gonzales CQ-Roll Call, Arkansas Online, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of fundamental

Adjective

Per Degroote, who’s been in the unscripted business for over two decades, one of the key ingredients for a format’s success today lies in audience participation.

— Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 12 Oct. 2026
As online shopping has become an economic behemoth — Amazon reported over $716 billion in profits in 2025 — logistics centers have become a key component of their success, said Ellie Falcone, a professor of supply chain management at TCU.

— Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Oct. 2026

Definition of key

Adjective

But the pueblo blanco of Casares makes a good day trip, though meals are on the basic side in the town’s restaurants and cafes.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026
Off-duty models stepped out in nonchalant style, pairing the jeans with basic tops and simple belts, while fashion show attendees elevated the laidback fits with button-down denim shirts, neckties and colorful knitwear.

— Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of basic

Adjective

Its produce is pivotal in curbing supply-side inflation domestically, and the country ranks among the top global exporters of rice and sugar.

— Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2026
There’s the recurring omission of pivotal moments — in the last two weeks alone, Mae’s death happens offscreen, as does everyone finding out about it — which is less vexing with tough scenes than joyous ones.

— Ben Travers, IndieWire, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of pivotal

Browse Nearby Words

life

life-and-death

lifeblood

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Style

“Life-and-death.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/life-and-death. Accessed 13 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of life-and-death

adjective

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