tightrope

noun

tight·​rope ˈtīt-ˌrōp 

1

: a rope or wire stretched taut for acrobats to perform on

2

: a dangerously precarious situation

—usually used in the phrase walk a tightrope

Examples of tightrope in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

At the center of it all, Harry has to walk the tightrope and keep them all together. — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 9 July 2026

Navigating the power of presidential rhetoric As an institution, the Supreme Court has walked a tightrope this term. — Henry Gass, Christian Science Monitor, 7 July 2026

The filmmakers cut freely and rapidly among the duo’s poses, their stumbles, their fears, their tightrope walks across precarious beams in the sky. — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 1 July 2026

It was all conducted on a coaching tightrope, because Hurtt emphasized that maintaining Bernard’s confidence is essential. — Zach Berman, New York Times, 24 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1801, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for tightrope

• downslope
• elope
• hillslope
• upslope
• antelope
• bronchoscope
• cantaloupe
• cystoscope
• endoscope
• envelope
• epitope
• gyroscope

Kids Definition

tightrope

noun

tight·​rope -ˌrōp 

: a rope or wire stretched tight for acrobats to perform on