# gunboat diplomacy

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/gunboat-diplomacy
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

The pursuit of foreign policy objectives with the aid of conspicuous displays of military power.

## Examples

- The country used gunboat diplomacy to force a better trade deal.
- The government sent warships to the border as a clear act of gunboat diplomacy to intimidate their neighbors.
- Historians often argue that the era was defined by gunboat diplomacy, as powerful nations frequently deployed naval forces to secure favorable economic concessions from weaker states.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.