1
: a sharp wedge of steel or other hard material used as a fulcrum for a lever beam in a precision instrument
2
: a sharp narrow knifelike edge
Examples of knife-edge in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The Old Trafford knockout nights were memorable, the second legs against Real Sociedad and Lyon each starting on a knife-edge after away draws.
—
Laurie Whitwell, New York Times, 21 May 2025
But a surge in support for far-right and anti-establishment candidates left the runoff on a knife-edge.
—Reuters, NBC news, 19 May 2025
Marseille, who sit second in Ligue 1 behind runaway champions Paris Saint-Germain, are only four points better off than Strasbourg in seventh and, with so many teams vying for a top-four finish and Champions League qualification, their season is on a knife-edge.
—Tom Williams, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2025
Brimming with boundless enthusiasm, White hit hard and fast, channeling a riveting blend of strident rawness and knife-edge menace that echoed a host of the rough-and-tumble blues predecessors who inspired him.
—Bob Gendron, Chicago Tribune, 11 Apr. 2025
With a sweep of his foot, Rice changed the trajectory of a knife-edge game in wondrous style.
—Amy Lawrence, New York Times, 9 Apr. 2025
Erdogan extended his rule into a third decade after winning a knife-edge presidential election in 2023, securing a second term.
—Nadeen Ebrahim, CNN, 19 Mar. 2025
Forbidden Peak, North Cascades National Park, WA — West Ridge
One of the 50 Classic Climbs of North America, this is rock climbing on a knife-edge ridge in a wild and breathtaking alpine setting.
—Sean McNally, Outdoor Life, 13 Mar. 2025
There are many more in districts that Donald Trump won by a knife-edge margin.
—Raja Krishnamoorthi, Newsweek, 13 Mar. 2025
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Laurie Whitwell, New York Times, 21 May 2025
But a surge in support for far-right and anti-establishment candidates left the runoff on a knife-edge.
—Reuters, NBC news, 19 May 2025
Marseille, who sit second in Ligue 1 behind runaway champions Paris Saint-Germain, are only four points better off than Strasbourg in seventh and, with so many teams vying for a top-four finish and Champions League qualification, their season is on a knife-edge.
—Tom Williams, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2025
Brimming with boundless enthusiasm, White hit hard and fast, channeling a riveting blend of strident rawness and knife-edge menace that echoed a host of the rough-and-tumble blues predecessors who inspired him.
—Bob Gendron, Chicago Tribune, 11 Apr. 2025
With a sweep of his foot, Rice changed the trajectory of a knife-edge game in wondrous style.
—Amy Lawrence, New York Times, 9 Apr. 2025
Erdogan extended his rule into a third decade after winning a knife-edge presidential election in 2023, securing a second term.
—Nadeen Ebrahim, CNN, 19 Mar. 2025
Forbidden Peak, North Cascades National Park, WA — West Ridge
One of the 50 Classic Climbs of North America, this is rock climbing on a knife-edge ridge in a wild and breathtaking alpine setting.
—Sean McNally, Outdoor Life, 13 Mar. 2025
There are many more in districts that Donald Trump won by a knife-edge margin.
—Raja Krishnamoorthi, Newsweek, 13 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Knife-edge.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/knife-edge. Accessed 6 Jun. 2025.
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