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.
There is a temptation to expand the view of this ruling, to look at the slippery slope that has been legally greased and pontificate about how this will lead to the further damnation of college sports. Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 8 June 2026 If that argument holds up through the inevitable appeals process, the slippery slope is obvious. Matt Baker, New York Times, 8 June 2026 Relative moralism is a slippery slope because there is no fundamental belief by all in something, an absolute truth. Joe Kinsey Outkick, FOXNews.com, 1 June 2026 But Altman says treating the mounting competition as a race is a potentially slippery slope. Annie Palmer,samantha Subin,ashley Capoot, CNBC, 1 June 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 13 Jun. 2026.

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