tightrope

noun

tight·​rope ˈtīt-ˌrōp How to pronounce tightrope (audio)
1
: a rope or wire stretched taut for acrobats to perform on
2
: a dangerously precarious situation
usually used in the phrase walk a tightrope

Examples of tightrope in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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With its subtle pinstripes and exaggerated proportions, his oversized three-piece toed a line between luxury tailoring and streetwear — a tightrope often walked by American label Fear of God, the American label behind the outfit.. Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 9 June 2025 He’s had a particularly taut tightrope to walk on Medicaid, called Medi-Cal in California. David Lightman, Sacbee.com, 5 June 2025 In the dynamic and often unpredictable landscape of the business world, relying on a single product, service, or market can feel like navigating a tightrope without a safety net. Julie Kratz, Forbes.com, 1 June 2025 Traditional coding can feel like walking on a tightrope. Shubham Nigam, Forbes.com, 4 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for tightrope

Word History

First Known Use

1801, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of tightrope was in 1801

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Tightrope.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tightrope. Accessed 28 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

tightrope

noun
tight·​rope -ˌrōp How to pronounce tightrope (audio)
: a rope or wire stretched tight for acrobats to perform on

More from Merriam-Webster on tightrope

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