sliding scale
noun
1
: a wage scale geared to the selling price of the product or to the consumer price index but usually guaranteeing a minimum below which the wage will not fall
2
a
: a system for raising or lowering tariffs in accord with price changes
b
: a flexible scale (as of fees or subsidies) adjusted to the needs or income of individuals
the sliding scale of medical fees
Examples of sliding scale in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
There have been a few bad defeats for Newcastle this season — where did that defeat sit on the sliding scale?
—
Chris Waugh, New York Times, 22 Apr. 2025
Below are the most general percentages that are used in each classification; different brands will play loosely with these concentration levels, so just be aware of the sliding scale here.
—Adam Hurly, Robb Report, 18 Feb. 2025
Packages are offered on a sliding scale that starts at $1,499.
—Rachel Hale, USA TODAY, 20 Mar. 2025
Another angle is a sliding scale, which is what Anthropic is moving toward.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sliding scale
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Chris Waugh, New York Times, 22 Apr. 2025
Below are the most general percentages that are used in each classification; different brands will play loosely with these concentration levels, so just be aware of the sliding scale here.
—Adam Hurly, Robb Report, 18 Feb. 2025
Packages are offered on a sliding scale that starts at $1,499.
—Rachel Hale, USA TODAY, 20 Mar. 2025
Another angle is a sliding scale, which is what Anthropic is moving toward.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sliding scale
Cite this Entry
“Sliding scale.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sliding%20scale. Accessed 28 Apr. 2025.
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