brinkmanship
noun
brink·man·ship
ˈbriŋk-mən-ˌship 
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
The brinkmanship between the world’s largest two economies is starting to jeopardize the global economy, according to several exhibitors at the Global Sources Hong Kong show, which began on Friday.
—
John Liu, CNN Money, 13 Apr. 2025
Deterrence requires an extensive toolkit, including diplomatic patience, nuance, surprise, brinkmanship, and also reassurance and credibility.
—Ryan Hass, Foreign Affairs, 8 Nov. 2023
Trump followed that up with a round of brinkmanship with Kim Jong Un before a complete reversal and profession of love for the North Korean leader.
—Scott Neuman, NPR, 22 Mar. 2025
But those Democrats will be under immense pressure to support the legislation after years of panning GOP brinkmanship on government funding.
—David Sivak, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 11 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for brinkmanship
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John Liu, CNN Money, 13 Apr. 2025
Deterrence requires an extensive toolkit, including diplomatic patience, nuance, surprise, brinkmanship, and also reassurance and credibility.
—Ryan Hass, Foreign Affairs, 8 Nov. 2023
Trump followed that up with a round of brinkmanship with Kim Jong Un before a complete reversal and profession of love for the North Korean leader.
—Scott Neuman, NPR, 22 Mar. 2025
But those Democrats will be under immense pressure to support the legislation after years of panning GOP brinkmanship on government funding.
—David Sivak, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 11 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for brinkmanship
Cite this Entry
“Brinkmanship.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/brinkmanship. Accessed 2 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
brinkmanship
noun
brink·man·ship
ˈbriŋk-mən-ˌship
: the practice of pushing a dangerous situation to the limit of safety before stopping
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