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

The total strangers struggle to navigate each other’s lives, walking tightropes of intimacy and distance. — Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 14 Aug. 2026

Even the tonal tightrope critics keep marveling at was, to her, a nonissue. — Clayton Davis, Variety, 14 Aug. 2026

That’s because more often than not, this team is walking a tightrope with its roster. — Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 12 Aug. 2026

Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh’s tightrope walk atop the central bank will get even dicier on Wednesday afternoon. — Eleanor Mueller, semafor.com, 29 July 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