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brinkmanship

brinkmanship

4 9.9
A risky way of acting that pushes events to the edge to force a decision
  • noun
  • /ˈbrɪŋk.mən.ʃɪp/
  • Literature
translation icon : juego de riesgo
  • Even as Seoul and its allies strengthen their posture against North Korea's militarism and nuclear brinkmanship, they must also be prepared to offer Pyongyang a new beginning.
  • Korean brinkmanship
  • nuclear brinkmanship
  • brinkmanship diplomacy

They try to to see who, who blinks first in, in the game of nuclear brinkmanship.

Examples

  • China, however, managed to overlook those activities of brinkmanship and did not resort to war.

    Academic text (1997)
  • Some Indians and Pakistanis seem to see Cold War brinkmanship between the superpowers as something to be emulated.

    Academic text (1999)
  • As shown above, this brinkmanship is easier when one is surrounded by a sympathetic reference group.

    Academic text (1994)
  • Both tend toward brinkmanship and are more interested in building their militaries than their countries.

    Academic text (1991)
  • Yet the Prime Minister pursues a game of brinkmanship built on the livelihoods, health and future of my constituents and our country.

  • Certainly, the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962 might be considered the turning point for superpower nuclear brinkmanship.

    Academic text (1994)
  • South Korea worries that North Korea's continuing brinkmanship may well trigger other unilateral U.S. decisions, including military action.

    Academic text (2003)
  • Chun concludes that North Korea has routinely used crisis diplomacy, brinkmanship, and delay to play for time in unfavorable circumstances.

    Academic text (2000)
  • The current crisis resulting from Pyongyang's brinkmanship drives a wedge between Washington and Seoul, causing an even wider and deeper anti-American sentiment.

    Academic text (2003)
  • The recent clash between the two countries was a clear example of brinkmanship as they pushed their demands to the limits.

Synonyms

power play
vsbrinkmanship
  • Literature
4 6.3

A forceful action to gain control over other people

pushes actions to the edge of safety to force an outcome
saber rattling
vsbrinkmanship
  • Literature
4 7.7

Showing weapons to scare other countries without fighting

escalates policies toward real danger rather than mere threats
squeeze play
vsbrinkmanship
1 7.4

A way of putting pressure on someone to make them agree

uses high risk escalation up to safety limits to compel outcome

Antonyms

158 2.5

Care that helps you avoid danger or mistakes

47 3.5

Keeping actions or feelings within reasonable limits

How Risky

recklessness
18 5.2
brinkmanship
  • Literature
4 9.9
to take risks
56 3.2

Surface Forms

brinkmanship singular
brinkmanships plural

Morphology

brinkmanship = brink (semi-transparent) = brink + manship

The word is built from 'brink' plus the noun-forming suffix 'manship', but the political-diplomatic sense is a specialized metaphor rather than a fully literal combination.

Etymology

Brinkmanship comes from brink meaning 'edge' and the ending -manship, as in showmanship, meaning 'skill' or 'art'. So the word paints a picture of the 'skill of standing on the edge' — often in politics — pushing a risky situation to the limit to make the other side give in.