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
Some of the foreign aid disbursed in the second half of last year appears to have been straightforwardly treated as a bargaining chip.
—
Hana Kiros, The Atlantic, 3 Feb. 2026
That the Board of Education would even contemplate closing Outdoor School, and uses it annually as a bargaining chip in its budget negotiations with the county commissioners, reflects poorly on BOE members.
—Chris Roemer, Baltimore Sun, 1 Feb. 2026
Using the threat of a continuing surge of ICE agents as a bargaining chip against Minneapolis is a new low for the Justice Department — and an attempt by Bondi to weaponize the agency.
—Miami Herald, Twin Cities, 30 Jan. 2026
And Orlando has become the Rays’ newest bargaining chip.
—Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for bargaining chip
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Hana Kiros, The Atlantic, 3 Feb. 2026
That the Board of Education would even contemplate closing Outdoor School, and uses it annually as a bargaining chip in its budget negotiations with the county commissioners, reflects poorly on BOE members.
—Chris Roemer, Baltimore Sun, 1 Feb. 2026
Using the threat of a continuing surge of ICE agents as a bargaining chip against Minneapolis is a new low for the Justice Department — and an attempt by Bondi to weaponize the agency.
—Miami Herald, Twin Cities, 30 Jan. 2026
And Orlando has become the Rays’ newest bargaining chip.
—Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 Jan. 2026
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 6 Feb. 2026.
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