brinkmanship

American  

[bringk-muhn-ship] / ˈbrɪŋk mənˌʃɪp /

Also brinksmanship

noun

1. the technique or practice of maneuvering a dangerous situation to the limits of tolerance or safety in order to secure the greatest advantage, especially by creating diplomatic crises.

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brinkmanship British  

/ ˈbrɪŋkmənˌʃɪp /

noun

1. the art or practice of pressing a dangerous situation, esp in international affairs, to the limit of safety and peace in order to win an advantage from a threatening or tenacious foe

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brinkmanship Cultural  

1. The policy of a nation that pushes a dangerous situation to the limits of safety (the “brink”) before pulling back; an aggressive and adventurous foreign policy.

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Etymology

Origin of brinkmanship

brink + -manship, by analogy with sportsmanship, gamesmanship, etc.; coined by Adlai E.Stevenson in 1956, criticizing the foreign policy of John Foster Dulles

Explanation

Brinkmanship is pushing a situation to the point of disaster without quite going over the edge. Brinkmanship is mainly a political policy. When you're on the brink of something, you're right on the edge. In politics, brinkmanship is an approach in which a country pushes a situation extremely close to a dangerous point. Many considered the Cold War between the U.S. and Russia an example of brinkmanship; the accumulation of so many deadly weapons could have led to disaster. Brinkmanship is a gamble: by coming close to a dangerous outcome, you hope to get an agreement or concession you wouldn't otherwise get.

Example Sentences

Policymakers on both sides of the aisle should recognize that political brinkmanship has real-world consequences—and ensure that vital security programs remain funded and uninterrupted.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 23, 2026

As the conference approached its scheduled end this week, the U.N.’s climate chief chided negotiators for digging in their heels and wasting time with bluffing and brinkmanship.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 22, 2024

All we can do is hope that the current crisis deescalates and that this brinkmanship, these tit-for-tat exchanges of fire between Israel or Iran or whomever else, stop.

From Salon • Apr. 17, 2024

"There was a degree of poker-playing and brinkmanship to the decision to move away," he said.

From BBC • Dec. 25, 2023

Their brinkmanship came to a head in June, when Mr. Musk, in a reply to someone on Twitter, said that he would fight Mr. Zuckerberg in a physical cage match.

From New York Times • Aug. 6, 2023