bargaining chip
noun
: something that can be used to gain an advantage when trying to make a deal or an agreement
The workers used the threat of a strike as a bargaining chip in their negotiations.
Examples of bargaining chip in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Now, China is using rare earths as a bargaining chip once more.
—
Andy Browne, semafor.com, 16 Oct. 2025
In the past, the Cuban government has used the release of political prisoners as a bargaining chip to obtain concessions from the United States.
—Nora Gamez Torres, Miami Herald, 13 Oct. 2025
China accounts for about 70% of the global supply and has repeatedly used critical minerals as a bargaining chip in trade discussions.
—Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 10 Oct. 2025
Over Washington and Havana’s largely fruitless attempts at diplomacy during the Cold War, both parties considered the base as a bargaining chip of sorts, a leverage to pull in the interest of military de-escalation or possible normalization of diplomatic relations.
—Miriam Pensack, The Dial, 30 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bargaining chip
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Andy Browne, semafor.com, 16 Oct. 2025
In the past, the Cuban government has used the release of political prisoners as a bargaining chip to obtain concessions from the United States.
—Nora Gamez Torres, Miami Herald, 13 Oct. 2025
China accounts for about 70% of the global supply and has repeatedly used critical minerals as a bargaining chip in trade discussions.
—Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 10 Oct. 2025
Over Washington and Havana’s largely fruitless attempts at diplomacy during the Cold War, both parties considered the base as a bargaining chip of sorts, a leverage to pull in the interest of military de-escalation or possible normalization of diplomatic relations.
—Miriam Pensack, The Dial, 30 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bargaining chip
Cite this Entry
“Bargaining chip.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bargaining%20chip. Accessed 20 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share