bargaining chip

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The Justice Department called the statement “strongarming,” but Powell’s legal counsel disputed the characterization, saying his resignation was never meant to be used as a bargaining chip.

From Barron's • Mar. 18, 2026

John Swinney said additional duties should not be used as a "bargaining chip" in discussions between trade partners.

From BBC • Jan. 18, 2026

But he didn’t mince words in describing how airlines became a bargaining chip during the shutdown negotiations.

From MarketWatch • Nov. 12, 2025

The natural resource became an important bargaining chip in trade negotiations between the U.S. and China, as the U.S. is heavily reliant on China to supply rare earth minerals.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 6, 2025

With only a small battery of ICBMs powerful enough to reach the United States, and none of them completely reliable, Khrushchev felt that he needed a much bigger bargaining chip with Kennedy.

From "Spies: The Secret Showdown Between America and Russia" by Marc Favreau