brinkmanship

noun

brink·​man·​ship ˈbriŋk-mən-ˌship How to pronounce brinkmanship (audio)
variants or less commonly brinksmanship
: 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
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.
One New Kingdom papyrus illustrates a curious case of power being projected along the river through sheer brinkmanship. Vanessa Taylor, Big Think, 25 Sep. 2025 Its debt has soared from distressed levels, vindicating bondholders who withstood years of brinkmanship and legal drama with Ergen. Bloomberg, Mercury News, 8 Sep. 2025 There was only fear and last minute brinkmanship. Lien De Pau, Forbes.com, 31 Aug. 2025 Potential buyers will be hoping Arsenal will blink first and reduce their demands and the game of brinkmanship continues. James McNicholas, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for brinkmanship

Word History

First Known Use

1956, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of brinkmanship was in 1956

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Cite this Entry

“Brinkmanship.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/brinkmanship. Accessed 4 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

brinkmanship

noun
brink·​man·​ship ˈbriŋk-mən-ˌship How to pronounce brinkmanship (audio)
: the practice of pushing a dangerous situation to the limit of safety before stopping

More from Merriam-Webster on brinkmanship

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