the Richter scale
noun
technical
: a system of measurement used for showing the strength of an earthquake
The earthquake measured 4.5 on the Richter scale.
Examples of the Richter scale in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
That means whatever trades the Cardinals do make this year won’t register much on the Richter scale.
—
Katie Woo, New York Times, 20 June 2025
Despite the earth-shaking at the concert, the jumping didn't even register a 1 on the Richter scale.
—Marina Watts, People.com, 12 May 2025
Several earthquakes rocked Istanbul on Wednesday, with the largest registering 6.2 on the Richter scale, according to Turkey's disaster agency.
—Ross Rosenfeld, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 Apr. 2025
An earthquake measuring a colossal 7.8 on the Richter scale set off two avalanches from opposite directions that leveled those at the foot of the mountain.
—Sabrina Ithal, Outside Online, 15 Sep. 2022
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Katie Woo, New York Times, 20 June 2025
Despite the earth-shaking at the concert, the jumping didn't even register a 1 on the Richter scale.
—Marina Watts, People.com, 12 May 2025
Several earthquakes rocked Istanbul on Wednesday, with the largest registering 6.2 on the Richter scale, according to Turkey's disaster agency.
—Ross Rosenfeld, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 Apr. 2025
An earthquake measuring a colossal 7.8 on the Richter scale set off two avalanches from opposite directions that leveled those at the foot of the mountain.
—Sabrina Ithal, Outside Online, 15 Sep. 2022
See All Example Sentences for the Richter scale
Cite this Entry
“The Richter scale.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20Richter%20scale. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.
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