trickle-down
adjective
trick·le-down
ˈtri-kəl-ˈdau̇n 
1
: relating to or working on the principle of trickle-down theory
trickle-down economics
2
: relating to or being an effect caused gradually by remote or indirect influences
Examples of trickle-down in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
But his benching, which occurred several weeks before he was diagnosed with a blood clot in his right shoulder, had trickle-down effects.
—
Josh Robbins, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
The former president claimed that his economic platform would rebuild the economy from the bottom up and the middle out, as opposed to the trickle-down strategy employed by Republicans for decades.
—Christian Datoc, The Washington Examiner, 4 Jan. 2026
This initiative is expected to have a trickle-down effect for the European carriers’ customers, enabling them to cut the carbon footprint of their international supply chains.
—Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 29 Dec. 2025
There is also the possibility that, should Manuel land on a sitting head coach, the trickle-down effect makes this carousel spin like an unprecedented cyclone.
—David Close, CNN Money, 11 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for trickle-down
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.
Josh Robbins, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
The former president claimed that his economic platform would rebuild the economy from the bottom up and the middle out, as opposed to the trickle-down strategy employed by Republicans for decades.
—Christian Datoc, The Washington Examiner, 4 Jan. 2026
This initiative is expected to have a trickle-down effect for the European carriers’ customers, enabling them to cut the carbon footprint of their international supply chains.
—Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 29 Dec. 2025
There is also the possibility that, should Manuel land on a sitting head coach, the trickle-down effect makes this carousel spin like an unprecedented cyclone.
—David Close, CNN Money, 11 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for trickle-down
Cite this Entry
“Trickle-down.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/trickle-down. Accessed 26 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
