brinkmanship
noun
brink·man·ship
ˈbriŋk-mən-ˌship 
variants
or less commonly brinksmanship
: the art or practice of pushing a dangerous situation or confrontation to the limit of safety especially to force a desired outcome
Examples of brinkmanship in a Sentence
two nations caught up in nuclear brinksmanship
Recent Examples on the Web
Congress has authorized upgrades, but recurring budget brinkmanship keeps throwing sand in the gears.
—
Imran Khalid, Boston Herald, 27 Oct. 2025
Very little in entertainment requires the level of diplomacy and brinkmanship of the summit that saw the Allies shape a post–World War II peace that has (technically) lasted through today, but Adam Pally trying to get into the mind of Mary Cosby comes close.
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 10 Oct. 2025
More than a decade later, the absence of such a measure underscores how partisan divisions have deepened under Trump’s leadership, with both sides accusing the other of holding troops hostage to political brinkmanship.
—Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 9 Oct. 2025
As with the debt ceiling, it’s been Republicans, who mostly favor less government spending, who have been willing to engage in brinkmanship.
—Chris Stirewalt, The Hill, 26 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for brinkmanship
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Imran Khalid, Boston Herald, 27 Oct. 2025
Very little in entertainment requires the level of diplomacy and brinkmanship of the summit that saw the Allies shape a post–World War II peace that has (technically) lasted through today, but Adam Pally trying to get into the mind of Mary Cosby comes close.
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 10 Oct. 2025
More than a decade later, the absence of such a measure underscores how partisan divisions have deepened under Trump’s leadership, with both sides accusing the other of holding troops hostage to political brinkmanship.
—Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 9 Oct. 2025
As with the debt ceiling, it’s been Republicans, who mostly favor less government spending, who have been willing to engage in brinkmanship.
—Chris Stirewalt, The Hill, 26 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for brinkmanship
Cite this Entry
“Brinkmanship.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/brinkmanship. Accessed 6 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
brinkmanship
noun
brink·man·ship
ˈbriŋk-mən-ˌship
: the practice of pushing a dangerous situation to the limit of safety before stopping
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