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

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

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

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

From BBC • Dec. 25, 2023