tightrope

noun

tight·​rope ˈtīt-ˌrōp 

1

: a rope or wire stretched taut for acrobats to perform on

2

: a dangerously precarious situation

—usually used in the phrase walk a tightrope

Examples of tightrope in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Nik Wallenda twice — the second time blindfolded — walked more than two city blocks on a tightrope suspended above the Chicago River between Marina City and the Leo Burnett Building in a live event for the Discovery Channel. — Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 2 Nov. 2026

Nvidia has had to walk a tightrope in Washington as its AI chips have become a powerful tool for all AI developers and a bargaining chip in economic competition with China. — Kif Leswing, CNBC, 29 Oct. 2026

Quarry Park Adventures’ via ferrata climbing route features iron rungs, tightrope cables and wooden boards along the walls of the circular quarry. — Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 22 Oct. 2026

Marcus Arthur tells Deadline about walking a tightrope in a streaming-first world where linear remains a big money-spinner. — Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 16 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1801, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for tightrope

• downslope
• elope
• hillslope
• upslope
• antelope
• bronchoscope
• cantaloupe
• cystoscope
• endoscope
• envelope
• epitope
• gyroscope

Kids Definition

tightrope

noun

tight·​rope -ˌrōp 

: a rope or wire stretched tight for acrobats to perform on