Definitions:

1. Often involved demonstrations such as military exercises, troop movements, or bellicose rhetoric intended to convey strength and deter opponents without engaging in actual combact. NOUN
   • The ongoing saber rattling by the neighboring country is causing concern among its neighbors.
2. Used to describe a show of military power or aggression, typically as a means of intimidation or as a way to threaten potential conflicts. NOUN
   • The border dispute led to a lot of saber rattling but no real conflict.
   • The country's leaders have been engaging in saber rattling, with frequent displays of military might.

Synonyms:

• display of force
• intimidation
• psychological warfare
• sabre rattling