bargaining chip
noun
: something that can be used to gain an advantage when trying to make a deal or an agreement
The workers used the threat of a strike as a bargaining chip in their negotiations.
Examples of bargaining chip in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Meanwhile, caught in the diplomatic crossfire: TikTok, the social video app that’s become both an economic bargaining chip and billionaire’s prize.
—
Jackie Snow, Quartz, 14 Apr. 2025
But for weeks, his own aides have insisted that tariffs were not a bargaining chip.
—Franco Ordoñez, NPR, 8 Apr. 2025
Education should never be a political bargaining chip.
—John W. Dean, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Apr. 2025
Angered that China was blindsided by the announcement – and has potentially lost a bargaining chip in future talks between Mr. Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping – Beijing launched a campaign to modify the deal.
—Ann Scott Tyson, Christian Science Monitor, 31 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bargaining chip
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Jackie Snow, Quartz, 14 Apr. 2025
But for weeks, his own aides have insisted that tariffs were not a bargaining chip.
—Franco Ordoñez, NPR, 8 Apr. 2025
Education should never be a political bargaining chip.
—John W. Dean, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Apr. 2025
Angered that China was blindsided by the announcement – and has potentially lost a bargaining chip in future talks between Mr. Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping – Beijing launched a campaign to modify the deal.
—Ann Scott Tyson, Christian Science Monitor, 31 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bargaining chip
Cite this Entry
“Bargaining chip.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bargaining%20chip. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share