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
Previously, there was a cap on how much money certain households would have to repay, on a sliding scale based on income, in order to avoid a financial shock during tax season.
—
Greg Iacurci, CNBC, 6 Mar. 2026
The megaproject agreements will fall under the control of the municipalities, and there’s a sliding scale for creating a minimum number of jobs to support the operations of these projects.
—Alexandra Kukulka, Chicago Tribune, 26 Feb. 2026
The clinics serve undocumented and uninsured patients, who have the option of paying on a sliding scale depending on their income level.
—Claire Wang, Oc Register, 26 Feb. 2026
The district now fully covers monthly premiums for its employees but has proposed charging employees a monthly rate, with a sliding scale based on their salaries.
—Scott Travis, Sun Sentinel, 13 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sliding scale
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Greg Iacurci, CNBC, 6 Mar. 2026
The megaproject agreements will fall under the control of the municipalities, and there’s a sliding scale for creating a minimum number of jobs to support the operations of these projects.
—Alexandra Kukulka, Chicago Tribune, 26 Feb. 2026
The clinics serve undocumented and uninsured patients, who have the option of paying on a sliding scale depending on their income level.
—Claire Wang, Oc Register, 26 Feb. 2026
The district now fully covers monthly premiums for its employees but has proposed charging employees a monthly rate, with a sliding scale based on their salaries.
—Scott Travis, Sun Sentinel, 13 Feb. 2026
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 13 Mar. 2026.
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