gunboat diplomacy

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noun

diplomatic relations involving the use or threat of military force, especially by a powerful nation against a weaker one.

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Origin of gunboat diplomacy

First recorded in 1925–30

Words nearby gunboat diplomacy

gumweed, gumwood, gun, guna, gunboat, gunboat diplomacy, gun brig, gun camera, gun carriage, gun control, guncotton

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use gunboat diplomacy in a sentence

Those who served abroad were treated with suspicion that they had been infected by European diplomacy.
U.S. Embassies Have Always Been for Sale|William O’Connor|January 2, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Indeed, it's unclear what, if any, benefits the average Cuban will reap from increased diplomacy between the two countries.
Castro's Hipster Apologists Want to Keep Cuba ‘Authentically’ Poor|Michael Moynihan|December 18, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The British Museum claims that “cultural diplomacy” can somehow discourage human rights violators.
Britain Has Lost Its Marbles: Elgin Loan Will Appease Putin|Geoffrey Robertson|December 5, 2014|DAILY BEAST
I called it “ding-dong diplomacy”; Governor Richardson wisely pointed out that “basketball diplomacy” is better than none.
Pyongyang Primer: Kenneth Bae Comes Home|Kevin Bleyer|November 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST

To date, much of the details of the diplomacy and even the interim deal between Iran and the West are shrouded in secrecy.
Republican Hawks Already Have a War Plan for ISIS, Ukraine, and Obama|Eli Lake|November 6, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The rebels wished to advance from Lutao, but were kept back by the fire from the gunboat Maria Cristina.
The Philippine Islands|John Foreman
Meanwhile, the Australian submarine has got up through the Narrows and has torpedoed a gunboat at Chunuk.
Gallipoli Diary, Volume I|Ian Hamilton
This Committee shall be divided into three sections, viz.:—Of diplomacy; of the navy; and of the army.
The Philippine Islands|John Foreman
But, though a capital sabreur, he was evidently not made to solve questions in diplomacy.
Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, No. CCCXXXIX. January, 1844. Vol. LV.|Various
Without any training in or natural bent for diplomacy, Aguinaldo had not the faintest idea of what foreign “protection” signified.
The Philippine Islands|John Foreman

British Dictionary definitions for gunboat diplomacy

gunboat diplomacy

noun

diplomacy conducted by threats of military intervention, esp by a major power against a militarily weak state

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Cultural definitions for gunboat diplomacy

gunboat diplomacy

A policy toward a foreign country that depends on the use, or threat of the use, of arms. (See big stick diplomacy.)