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.

But the United States is deploying a blunt, all-or-nothing approach.

From Slate • Feb. 13, 2026

In time, the exchange hopes, investors in its all-or-nothing options will graduate to trades involving more sophisticated contracts.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 2, 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

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