tightrope

noun

tight·​rope ˈtīt-ˌrōp How to pronounce tightrope (audio)
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
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But make no mistake, the AI revolution has executives walking a tightrope. Samantha Gloede, Fortune, 19 June 2026 The tightrope was a flat road to me, the drop was never there. Literary Hub, 15 June 2026 Over the past week-plus, players and coaches have attempted to walk a tightrope in not making this subject a commentary on last season — none have said a negative word about Matt Nagy, who’s now calling plays for the New York Giants. Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 4 June 2026 Rookie lefty Tyler Samaniego walked the tightrope in a chaotic top of the eighth. Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 3 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for tightrope

Word History

First Known Use

1801, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of tightrope was in 1801

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Tightrope.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tightrope. Accessed 25 Jun. 2026.

Kids Definition

tightrope

noun
tight·​rope -ˌrōp How to pronounce tightrope (audio)
: a rope or wire stretched tight for acrobats to perform on

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