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

With the economic fallout from the Middle East conflict front and center of the G7 summit, central bankers now face a tightrope on interest rates, said Will Hobbs, chief investment officer at Brooks Macdonald. —Hugh Leask, CNBC, 18 May 2026

This is a precarious tightrope to walk, with bond investors primed to sell if there’s a hint the biggest player in the market upsets the apple cart. —Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 17 May 2026

Short of taking his portrait down, curators’ only choice was to perform the political tightrope act of having a sitting president—one deeply concerned with his own image—on view in the museum. —Kelsey Ables, The Atlantic, 15 May 2026

McDaniels walks a tightrope every game in this regard. —Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 7 May 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