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

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

Even before that meeting, the tide had turned for Paramount in a swell of power, politics and brinkmanship.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 27, 2026

After a year of acrimonious exchanges and brinkmanship that had some in Seoul wondering if they should plan for war – everything changed.

From BBC • Jan. 27, 2025

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

The oral histories chronicle Mr. Obama’s journey from an uninformed candidate embarrassed by the banalities he found himself spouting on the campaign trail to a besieged president gambling his political future on all-or-nothing legislative brinkmanship.

From New York Times • Mar. 22, 2024