highwire
Funambulist's narrow path
A highwire is a tightrope stretched high above the ground, used by acrobats and circus performers.
The word doubles as an adjective describing risky, precarious activity requiring careful balance: highwire diplomacy, a highwire act of financial maneuvering.
The figurative sense captures situations where one misstep means disaster.
Suspended acrobatic bar
- acrobatAgile circus performer
- aerialistCircus performer aloft
- ringmasterCircus performance director
- sequinsSmall reflective fabric ornaments
leotard · net · rigging · performer · act · spectacle · showmanship · fanfare
Exposure to harm
- perilSerious threat of harm
- hazardSource of potential harm
- daringAdventurous courage
- precariousnessState of uncertain stability
jeopardy · gamble · brinkmanship · vulnerability · recklessness · stakes · thrill · nerve
Measured height above reference
- elevationHeight above reference point
- vertigoSensation of spinning
- acrophobiaDread of elevated positions
- precipiceSteep rock face
suspension · chasm · gorge · span · drop · abyss · dizzying · towering
State of balance
- poiseGraceful, unshakable calm
- steadinessState of being constant
- coordinationOrganized cooperative movement
- controlAuthority to direct
footing · precision · concentration · focus · tension · centering · alignment · counterbalance
trapeze
Suspended acrobatic bar
- acrobatAgile circus performer
- aerialistCircus performer aloft
- ringmasterCircus performance director
sequins · leotard · net · rigging · performer · act · spectacle · showmanship · fanfare · drumroll
danger
Exposure to harm
precariousness · jeopardy · gamble · brinkmanship · vulnerability · recklessness · stakes · thrill · nerve · courage
altitude
Measured height above reference
- elevationHeight above reference point
- vertigoSensation of spinning
- acrophobiaDread of elevated positions
precipice · suspension · chasm · gorge · span · drop · abyss · dizzying · towering · exposure
equilibrium
State of balance
- poiseGraceful, unshakable calm
- steadinessState of being constant
- coordinationOrganized cooperative movement
control · footing · precision · concentration · focus · tension · centering · alignment · counterbalance · sway
- circuscircus, big top, clown, clowns, ringmaster
- acrobaticsacrobat, tumbling, somersault, cartwheel, handstand
- Stuntsstunt, stuntman, stunt double, daredevil, stunt performer
highwireground level
Surface elevation plane
solid ground · floor · ground wire · terra firma · ground
highwiresafety net
Protection against failure
net · harness · safety harness · crash mat · guardrail
high, height, wire, highway, wiring, wiry, tightrope, tightropes