brinkmanship

noun

brink·​man·​ship ˈbriŋk-mən-ˌship 

variants or less commonly brinksmanship

ˈbriŋ(k)s-mən-ˌship 

: 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

Even before that meeting, the tide had turned for Paramount in a swell of power, politics and brinkmanship. —Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 28 Feb. 2026

Stroul argued that Iran’s leadership is trying to balance brinkmanship with negotiation. —Emma Bussey, FOXNews.com, 23 Feb. 2026

But this type of strategic legal brinkmanship would create a logistical nightmare for businesses, with potentially painful economic consequences. —Rogé Karma, The Atlantic, 20 Feb. 2026

That means rejecting political brinkmanship, pushing for transparency and working across differences to deliver a budget on time that meets the real needs of North Carolina families. —Charlotte Observer, 13 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1956, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for brinkmanship

• authorship
• battleship
• censorship
• chairmanship
• chieftainship
• comradeship
• consulship
• craftsmanship
• dealership
• draftsmanship
• fellowship
• fingertip

Kids Definition

brinkmanship

noun

brink·​man·​ship ˈbriŋk-mən-ˌship 

: the practice of pushing a dangerous situation to the limit of safety before stopping