slippery slope

noun

: a course of action that seems to lead inevitably from one action or result to another with unintended consequences

Examples of slippery slope in a Sentence

His behavior will lead him down a slippery slope to ruin.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
This triggers a slippery slope toward apostasy — that is, de-prioritizing mindedness toward church vetted preoccupations. Cory Anderson, STAT, 6 Mar. 2026 For some Dropout subscribers, many of whom explicitly value the platform as a progressive alternative to mainstream TV, working with a police show feels like a slippery slope toward an ideological crossover. Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 3 Mar. 2026 Mizzou has been sitting on the slippery slope of the NCAA Tournament bubble, but things changed after beating the Aggies. Ally Schniepp, Kansas City Star, 13 Feb. 2026 Workers say that could be the first step down a slippery slope that leads to layoffs and damage to patient health. Queenie Wong, Los Angeles Times, 6 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for slippery slope

Word History

First Known Use

1951, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of slippery slope was in 1951

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Slippery slope.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/slippery%20slope. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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