big stick

noun

: threat especially of military or political intervention

Examples of big stick in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Whereas the Biden White House viewed war not as diplomacy by other means but the failure of diplomacy by all means, the Trump White House will engage in diplomacy while brandishing a very big stick. Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 27 Nov. 2024 Trump talks loudly and carries a big stick but— Better than Teddy Roosevelt. Isaac Chotiner, The New Yorker, 4 Nov. 2023 Wash it Remove the tie-dye T-shirt with tongs or a big stick. Nicole Harris, Parents, 25 Aug. 2023 Elbridge Colby: Speak softly and carry a big stick. NBC News, 30 June 2023 See all Example Sentences for big stick 

Word History

First Known Use

1893, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of big stick was in 1893

Dictionary Entries Near big stick

Cite this Entry

“Big stick.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/big%20stick. Accessed 3 Dec. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!