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

Very little in entertainment requires the level of diplomacy and brinkmanship of the summit that saw the Allies shape a post–World War II peace that has (technically) lasted through today, but Adam Pally trying to get into the mind of Mary Cosby comes close. —Bethy Squires, Vulture, 10 Oct. 2025

As with the debt ceiling, it’s been Republicans, who mostly favor less government spending, who have been willing to engage in brinkmanship. —Chris Stirewalt, The Hill, 26 Sep. 2025

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

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