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
Avoiding decisions about the day after while blocking other alternatives to Hamas rule from emerging, Netanyahu continues to maintain latitude between these two choices but is inching down the slippery slope toward military rule, with or without the resettlement of Palestinians.
—
Assaf Orion, Foreign Affairs, 3 June 2025
But the bill could push the nation down a slippery slope.
—Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 4 May 2025
At Wembley on Sunday, Forest found themselves with not quite a mountain to climb, but certainly a slippery slope following an uncharacteristically disastrous start.
—Paul Taylor, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2025
Adding strawberry flavor to a beverage is a slippery slope.
—Pete Cottell, Wired News, 12 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for slippery slope
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.
Assaf Orion, Foreign Affairs, 3 June 2025
But the bill could push the nation down a slippery slope.
—Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 4 May 2025
At Wembley on Sunday, Forest found themselves with not quite a mountain to climb, but certainly a slippery slope following an uncharacteristically disastrous start.
—Paul Taylor, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2025
Adding strawberry flavor to a beverage is a slippery slope.
—Pete Cottell, Wired News, 12 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for slippery slope
Cite this Entry
“Slippery slope.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/slippery%20slope. Accessed 6 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share