Definitions

life-or-death

[lahyf-er-deth] / ˈlaɪf ərˈdɛθ /

ADJECTIVE

life-and-death

Synonyms

WEAK

all-important consequential critical crucial determining earth-shaking earth-shattering essential imperative important indispensable meaningful of vital importance paramount pivotal serious significant urgent vital vitally important

ADJECTIVE

vital

Synonyms

STRONGEST

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

WEAK

bottom-line cardinal coal-and-ice constitutive heavy meat-and-potatoes must-have nitty-gritty prerequisite required requisite underlined

Antonyms

STRONGEST

additional extra inessential insignificant meaningless minor needless nonessential optional secondary trivial uncritical unimportant unnecessary useless voluntary worthless

WEAK

dead dull insignficant sluggish

NOUN

necessity

Synonyms

STRONGEST

essential fundamental obligation precondition prerequisite requirement urgency

STRONG

call cause claim compulsion demand desideratum duress essence exaction exigency godsend imperative indispensability inevitability inexorableness must must-have necessary pinch privation requisite stress vitals want

WEAK

life or death needfulness no alternative no choice sine qua non undeniability vital part

Antonyms

STRONGEST

auxiliary extra trivia

WEAK

desire

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Related: They have millions in the bank — but without kids, who makes their life-or-death decisions?

From MarketWatch • Jun. 1, 2026

In those movies, as an unsuspecting bride thrust into a life-or-death situation, she appealingly balanced a convincing physical performance with an understated comedic streak, her beleaguered character enduring one absurdity after another.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 24, 2026

Noting the life-or-death stakes of transportation safety regulations, Horton said the agency’s leaders “want to go fast and break things, but going fast and breaking things means people are going to get hurt.”

From Salon • Feb. 2, 2026

Dr Gillespie said issues with availability can mean they are often called into highly emotional situations at short notice, sometimes moving between a christening and a life-or-death situation in hospital.

From BBC • Dec. 25, 2025

Heading to a neighboring camper or the campground offices to ask for a phone to use seems a little extreme—this isn’t exactly life-or-death.

From "Clean Getaway" by Nic Stone

life-or-death

Example Sentences

Related Words