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
What Evans, Olié and their collaborators further developed was a way to visually and physically show those power dynamics – a sort of sliding scale – that essentially puts the audience into each of those characters’ shoes whenever that character is played by an actor.
—
Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 25 Nov. 2025
In a significant shift, the Bangladesh Labour Act Amendment (Ordinance) 2025 introduces a sliding scale based on factory size and lowers the threshold for union formation to a minimum of 20 workers.
—Mayu Saini, Sourcing Journal, 21 Nov. 2025
In order to make good food more accessible, food justice writer and advocate Mark Bittman and chef Mavis-Jay Sanders have launched a pilot program in New York City called Community Kitchen, which for a limited time is offering fine dining on a sliding scale.
—David Morgan, CBS News, 20 Nov. 2025
People who lack Medicaid or private insurance, or who are underinsured, receive care at no cost if their income is below 200% of the poverty level, and on a sliding scale otherwise.
—Jennifer Spinghart, The Conversation, 12 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sliding scale
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Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 25 Nov. 2025
In a significant shift, the Bangladesh Labour Act Amendment (Ordinance) 2025 introduces a sliding scale based on factory size and lowers the threshold for union formation to a minimum of 20 workers.
—Mayu Saini, Sourcing Journal, 21 Nov. 2025
In order to make good food more accessible, food justice writer and advocate Mark Bittman and chef Mavis-Jay Sanders have launched a pilot program in New York City called Community Kitchen, which for a limited time is offering fine dining on a sliding scale.
—David Morgan, CBS News, 20 Nov. 2025
People who lack Medicaid or private insurance, or who are underinsured, receive care at no cost if their income is below 200% of the poverty level, and on a sliding scale otherwise.
—Jennifer Spinghart, The Conversation, 12 Nov. 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 2 Dec. 2025.
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