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
Will Smith’s ability to navigate Team USA’s relievers through some tightrope acts, plus his remarkably better line so far this WBC, gives him the start again behind the plate.
—
Johnny Flores Jr, New York Times, 17 Mar. 2026
Meanwhile, May walks a dramatic tightrope as the Type-A bridezilla trying to appear cool with the dynamic, despite the awkward circumstances.
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 17 Mar. 2026
The Celtics have been walking an end-of-the-roster tightrope since shipping out Josh Minott, Xavier Tillman and Chris Boucher ahead of the trade deadline to dip beneath the NBA’s luxury tax threshold.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 15 Mar. 2026
The teacher draws a tightrope separating two dimensions with an acrobat occupying the space above the tightrope, and a flea, who is able to walk both above and below the tightrope.
—Valerie Greene, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for tightrope
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Johnny Flores Jr, New York Times, 17 Mar. 2026
Meanwhile, May walks a dramatic tightrope as the Type-A bridezilla trying to appear cool with the dynamic, despite the awkward circumstances.
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 17 Mar. 2026
The Celtics have been walking an end-of-the-roster tightrope since shipping out Josh Minott, Xavier Tillman and Chris Boucher ahead of the trade deadline to dip beneath the NBA’s luxury tax threshold.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 15 Mar. 2026
The teacher draws a tightrope separating two dimensions with an acrobat occupying the space above the tightrope, and a flea, who is able to walk both above and below the tightrope.
—Valerie Greene, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for tightrope
Cite this Entry
“Tightrope.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tightrope. Accessed 19 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
tightrope
noun
tight·rope
-ˌrōp 
: a rope or wire stretched tight for acrobats to perform on
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