tightrope

noun

tight·​rope ˈtīt-ˌrōp 

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

For too long, women in leadership have been told to walk a tightrope between being too strong and too soft, too assertive and too accommodating. —Dale Wilsher, Forbes, 17 Mar. 2025

This includes daily check-ins and weekly reevaluations as Cole and the rest of the medical staff attempt to walk the tightrope of pushing Ball’s limits without risking reinjury. —Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 19 Feb. 2025

Firms are on a tightrope with legal risks on either side — stick with DEI and face a Trump DOJ investigation or lawsuit; or abandon it, and face the potential for lawsuits from employees and job applicants. —Alex Thompson, Axios, 8 Mar. 2025

Caught on a tightrope, Walgreens failed to find its balance. —Vinamrata Chaturvedi, Quartz, 7 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1801, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for tightrope

• downslope
• elope
• hillslope
• upslope
• antelope
• bronchoscope
• cantaloupe
• cystoscope
• endoscope
• envelope
• epitope
• gyroscope

Kids Definition

tightrope

noun

tight·​rope -ˌrōp 

: a rope or wire stretched tight for acrobats to perform on