Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

saber-rattling

noun

/ˈseɪbər ˌrætlɪŋ/

Definition

The act of displaying military power to intimidate or threaten an opponent.

Examples

The recent saber-rattling between the two nations raised concerns about a potential war.
Many critics argue that saber-rattling only escalates tensions without providing any real solutions.

Meaning

Saber-rattling refers to the aggressive posturing often exhibited by a country or political entity to signal strength or readiness to engage in conflict without necessarily taking direct action.