brinkmanship

noun

brink·​man·​ship ˈbriŋk-mən-ˌship How to pronounce brinkmanship (audio)
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 commission was founded nearly 40 years ago by Democrats and Republicans seeking to end the political brinkmanship and tiresome debate over debates that had become a regular part of presidential campaigning. Mark Barabak, The Mercury News, 21 June 2024 But there are strings attached June 14, 2024 The commission was founded nearly 40 years ago by Democrats and Republicans seeking to end the political brinkmanship and tiresome debate over debates that had become a regular part of presidential campaigning. Mark Z. Barabak, Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2024 At the least, any financial or political cover that Putin can provide enables Kim to ramp up the brinkmanship—alternating threats and conciliatory gestures to eke concessions—that has formed the bedrock of North Korean foreign policy since the days of Kim’s illustrious grandfather. Charlie Campbell, TIME, 19 June 2024 The high-stakes diplomatic moves and military brinkmanship left a glimmer of hope alive — but only barely — for an accord that could bring at least a pause in the 7-month-old war that has devastated the Gaza Strip. David Matthews, New York Daily News, 6 May 2024 See all Example Sentences for brinkmanship 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'brinkmanship.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1956, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of brinkmanship was in 1956

Dictionary Entries Near brinkmanship

Cite this Entry

“Brinkmanship.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/brinkmanship. Accessed 15 Jul. 2024.

Kids Definition

brinkmanship

noun
brink·​man·​ship ˈbriŋk-mən-ˌship How to pronounce brinkmanship (audio)
: the practice of pushing a dangerous situation to the limit of safety before stopping

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