sabre-rattle
Brandish military might
To sabre-rattle is to make aggressive threats or displays of military power without necessarily intending to follow through—named for the theatrical gesture of shaking a sword in its scabbard.
The term usually implies bluster: North Korea's missile tests are more sabre-rattling than genuine preparation for war.
Also spelled saber-rattle.
Loud, empty boasting
- bombastPretentious hollow language
- bravadoPretense of fearlessness
- grandstandingPerforming to impress onlookers
- theatricsExaggerated dramatic behavior
swagger · bellicosity · belligerence · chest-thumping · propaganda · denunciation · defiance · ultimatum
Promise harm or punishment
- menaceSource of potential harm
- coerceObtain by intimidation
- bullyHabitual intimidator
- blusterLoud, empty boasting
browbeat · cow · daunt · pressure · deter · overawe · unnerve · strongarm
Progressive increase in intensity
- standoffUnresolved confrontation between opponents
- crisisDecisive dangerous moment
- confrontationDirect hostile encounter
- ultimatumNon-negotiable final terms
tension · provocation · stalemate · impasse · showdown · deadlock · gambit · maneuvering
Collective military weapons
- buildupGradual accumulation over time
- mobilizationOrganizing for action
- deploymentOrganized distribution of resources
- arsenalStockpile of munitions
Punitive international restrictions
- embargoOfficial prohibition on trade
- tariffsTaxes on imports
- blockadeSealing off a place
- allianceFormal union of parties
containment · deterrence · superpower · hegemon · adversary · rival · axis
bluster
Loud, empty boasting
- bombastPretentious hollow language
- bravadoPretense of fearlessness
- grandstandingPerforming to impress onlookers
theatrics · swagger · bellicosity · belligerence · chest-thumping · propaganda · denunciation · defiance · ultimatum
threaten
Promise harm or punishment
bluster · browbeat · cow · daunt · pressure · deter · overawe · unnerve · strongarm · flex
escalation
Progressive increase in intensity
- standoffUnresolved confrontation between opponents
- crisisDecisive dangerous moment
- confrontationDirect hostile encounter
ultimatum · tension · provocation · stalemate · impasse · showdown · deadlock · gambit · maneuvering · high-stakes
armament
Collective military weapons
- buildupGradual accumulation over time
- mobilizationOrganizing for action
- deploymentOrganized distribution of resources
arsenal · rearmament · jingoism · hawkishness
sanctions
Punitive international restrictions
alliance · containment · deterrence · superpower · hegemon · adversary · rival · axis
sabre-rattlede-escalate
Reduce intensity of conflict
appease · conciliate · negotiate · build bridges · disarm
rattle, rattling, sabre-rattling, saber, rattlesnake, rattler, sabre, rattlers, sabres