Definitions

all-or-nothing

[awl-er-nuhth-ing] / ˈɔl ərˈnʌθ ɪŋ /

ADJECTIVE

accepting no less than everything

Synonyms

STRONGEST

hard-line inflexible uncompromising unyielding

WEAK

adamant firm unbending

Antonyms

STRONGEST

flexible willing yielding

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.

He kept the U.S. out of any major war and developed a nuclear strategy that evolved from “massive retaliation” to a policy that recognized how an all-or-nothing approach to thermonuclear weapons would be too dangerous.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 15, 2026

Plaintiffs and defendants alike overwhelmingly prefer to eliminate the risk of an all-or-nothing jury verdict by agreeing on a compromise dollar figure.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 19, 2025

“Get used to, on some of these hard days, selling out a little bit of your positions. I think people look at it like it’s an all-or-nothing proposition,” Kailas said.

From MarketWatch • Dec. 7, 2025

Breaks apiece early in the first set suggested the crowd on Louis Armstrong Stadium were about to enjoy a close contest, but Riedi's all-or-nothing aggressive game proved his downfall.

From BBC • Sep. 1, 2025

And the process was an all-or-nothing one; either you failed to modify at all, or else you modified the whole way.

From "Brave New World" by Aldous Huxley