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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Most member countries in Europe have tried to walk a tightrope between rejecting the ICC and explicitly affirming their willingness to act on the warrant. Timothy Nerozzi, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 30 Nov. 2024 Morsy goes into the game against Manchester United once again walking a disciplinary tightrope having picked up four yellow cards in the first six games of the season, one more booking will lead to an automatic one-game suspension. Asif Burhan, Forbes, 24 Nov. 2024 Without Ohtani, this could come back to Chavez Ravine next weekend on a tightrope. Bill Plaschke, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2024 The fans lurking on Reddit pages and watching Trap Lore Ross videos want to see artists figuratively walking a tightrope between art and reality. Andre Gee, Rolling Stone, 26 Oct. 2024 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

Dictionary Entries Near tightrope

Cite this Entry

“Tightrope.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tightrope. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

tightrope

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

More from Merriam-Webster on tightrope

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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