nickeled-and-dimed
ˌni-kəld-ən-ˈdīmd 
or nickel-and-dimed
ˌni-kəl-ən-ˈdīmd
; nickeling-and-diming
ˌni-k(ə-)liŋ-ən-ˈdī-miŋ
or nickel-and-diming
ˌni-kəl-ən-ˈdī-miŋ
or nickel-and-dimed
ˌni-kəl-ən-ˈdīmd
; nickeling-and-diming
ˌni-k(ə-)liŋ-ən-ˈdī-miŋ
or nickel-and-diming
ˌni-kəl-ən-ˈdī-miŋ
1
: to impair, weaken, or defeat piecemeal (as through a series of small incursions or excessive attention to minor details)
2
: to treat (a person or situation) by paying excessive attention to small amounts of money often with a detrimental effect
Examples of nickel-and-dime in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Rick Kogan, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2024
That’s caused the run game to fade and forced Patrick Mahomes to lean more into a nickel-and-dime approach.
—Sam Farmer, Los Angeles Times, 16 Jan. 2025
Trying to nickel-and-dime such an important player could have done more harm than good.
—Darnell Mayberry, The Athletic, 1 Aug. 2024
Southwest Airlines, which set itself apart from its nickel-and-dime competitors, will soon scrap its open-seat policy and charge folks for more legroom.
—Michelle Singletary, Washington Post, 26 July 2024
Love or hate Apple, the company’s nickel-and-dime approach to cables, dongles, and chargers primed people to believe reports like this.
—Andrew Cunningham, Ars Technica, 14 Sep. 2023
Finally, though, the Bengals didn’t nickel-and-dime a deal to death.
—Jason Williams, The Enquirer, 8 Sep. 2023
Doyel:Pacers won't get off mediocrity treadmill with nickel-and-dime moves from NBA Draft Nate Laszewski, Notre Dame Basketball fans in the state of Indiana should be familiar with Nate Laszewski of Notre Dame.
—Indystar Sports, The Indianapolis Star, 23 June 2023
This hasn’t even touched on other ways Disneyland can nickel-and-dime guests.
—Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2023
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Adjective
Much of it has been nickel-and-dime stuff but with some big-name crooks.
—Rick Kogan, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2024
That’s caused the run game to fade and forced Patrick Mahomes to lean more into a nickel-and-dime approach.
—Sam Farmer, Los Angeles Times, 16 Jan. 2025
Trying to nickel-and-dime such an important player could have done more harm than good.
—Darnell Mayberry, The Athletic, 1 Aug. 2024
Southwest Airlines, which set itself apart from its nickel-and-dime competitors, will soon scrap its open-seat policy and charge folks for more legroom.
—Michelle Singletary, Washington Post, 26 July 2024
Love or hate Apple, the company’s nickel-and-dime approach to cables, dongles, and chargers primed people to believe reports like this.
—Andrew Cunningham, Ars Technica, 14 Sep. 2023
Finally, though, the Bengals didn’t nickel-and-dime a deal to death.
—Jason Williams, The Enquirer, 8 Sep. 2023
Doyel:Pacers won't get off mediocrity treadmill with nickel-and-dime moves from NBA Draft Nate Laszewski, Notre Dame Basketball fans in the state of Indiana should be familiar with Nate Laszewski of Notre Dame.
—Indystar Sports, The Indianapolis Star, 23 June 2023
This hasn’t even touched on other ways Disneyland can nickel-and-dime guests.
—Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2023
Cite this Entry
“Nickel-and-dime.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nickel-and-dime. Accessed 30 Apr. 2025.
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