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
While talking about the Middle East on-stage is a tightrope not many wish to walk, Edelman enjoys the challenge.
—
Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 16 Sep. 2025
The Herald’s Red Sox reporters, Gabrielle Starr and Mac Cerullo, discuss the tightrope walk ahead.
—Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 16 Sep. 2025
Why Delegation Is So Hard—And So Necessary Leaders often walk a tightrope between holding the vision and trusting others to carry it forward.
—Brent Gleeson, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025
As a centrist, Bayrou barely managed to walk that tightrope.
—Saskya Vandoorne, CNN Money, 9 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tightrope
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Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 16 Sep. 2025
The Herald’s Red Sox reporters, Gabrielle Starr and Mac Cerullo, discuss the tightrope walk ahead.
—Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 16 Sep. 2025
Why Delegation Is So Hard—And So Necessary Leaders often walk a tightrope between holding the vision and trusting others to carry it forward.
—Brent Gleeson, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025
As a centrist, Bayrou barely managed to walk that tightrope.
—Saskya Vandoorne, CNN Money, 9 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tightrope
Cite this Entry
“Tightrope.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tightrope. Accessed 21 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
tightrope
noun
tight·rope
-ˌrōp 
: a rope or wire stretched tight for acrobats to perform on
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