brink

noun

ˈbriŋk 

1

: edge

especially : the edge at the top of a steep place

2

: a bank especially of a river

3

: the point of onset : verge

on the brink of war

4

: the threshold of danger

Synonyms of brink

• verge

Examples of brink in a Sentence

was at the brink of death when the rescuers arrived

Recent Examples on the Web

Iran peace deal or not, so many farmers in the Heartland were already going into 2026 on the financial brink. — Kirk Siegler, NPR, 25 June 2026

Knicks on brink of title after greatest-ever NBA Finals comeback. — Elizabeth Robinson, NBC news, 11 June 2026

Scandal and disgrace In 1978, host Argentina was on a brink of elimination. — Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 8 June 2026

The Timberwolves’ season, again, faces a brink. — Marcus Thompson Ii, New York Times, 9 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, of Scandinavian origin; akin to Old Norse brekka slope; akin to Middle Dutch brink grassland

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing brink

• brought/pulled back from the brink of
• on the brink of
• teetering on the brink/edge of
• the brink

Rhymes for brink

• blink
• chink
• cinque
• clink
• dink
• drink
• fink
• hink
• ink
• kink
• klink
• link

Kids Definition

brink

noun

ˈbriŋk 

1

: the edge at the top of a steep place

2

: a point of beginning : verge

on the brink of war