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
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.
The fans lurking on Reddit pages and watching Trap Lore Ross videos want to see artists figuratively walking a tightrope between art and reality. Andre Gee, Rolling Stone, 26 Oct. 2024 The anti-spam protections put in place for Gmail will always walk something of a tightrope between stopping enough spam, a leading distribution channel for malicious actors, and stopping too much genuine email. Davey Winder, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024 Many walk a tightrope with fears of succumbing to the cancel culture. Simone E. Morris, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024 China has walked a diplomatic tightrope throughout the Russia-Ukraine war. Evelyn Cheng,anniek Bao, CNBC, 25 Oct. 2024 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

Dictionary Entries Near tightrope

Cite this Entry

“Tightrope.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tightrope. Accessed 3 Dec. 2024.

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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