big stick

noun

: threat especially of military or political intervention

Examples of big stick in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Instead, Chisholm broke out the big stick. — Jackson Roberts, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Aug. 2025 Some talk loudly and carry a big stick. — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 23 Nov. 2025 Tread lightly and carry a big stick. — Dan Arritt, Oc Register, 11 Apr. 2026 Speak softly and -- and despite what Teddy Roosevelt said -- don't whack anybody over the head with a big stick. — Paul Prather, Arkansas Online, 15 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for big stick

Word History

First Known Use

1893, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of big stick was in 1893

Rhymes for big stick

See All Rhymes for big stick

Browse Nearby Words

Big Steel
big stick
Big Stone
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Big stick.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/big%20stick. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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