as in balance
a device for measuring weight
I hate getting on the bathroom scale
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
1
as in hierarchy
a scheme of rank or order
a student who scored very highly on a standard intelligence scale
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in to measure
to find out the size, extent, or amount of
scaled the logs to get a rough idea of the amount of usable lumber they were likely to yield
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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show current usage.
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Recent Examples of scale
Ryan Chan, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Aug. 2025
Consistently reaching for a second stick of string cheese can tip the scales and make this a higher-carb snack than intended.
—Cristina Mutchler, Verywell Health, 4 Aug. 2025
Time, 6 Aug. 2025
Traditional sources can’t scale fast enough: new nuclear and coal plants take decades, and even natural gas can’t ramp up quickly enough to meet near-term demand.
—Leo Schwartz, Fortune, 6 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for scale
Noun
China continues to expand its military presence beyond the First Island Chain by gradually increasing the scale of its warship deployments in the wider Western Pacific, including the simultaneous operation of two aircraft carriers on the eastern side of the island chain in June.
—Ryan Chan, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Aug. 2025
Consistently reaching for a second stick of string cheese can tip the scales and make this a higher-carb snack than intended.
—Cristina Mutchler, Verywell Health, 4 Aug. 2025
Verb
International aid and funding were also scaled back dramatically.
—Time, 6 Aug. 2025
Traditional sources can’t scale fast enough: new nuclear and coal plants take decades, and even natural gas can’t ramp up quickly enough to meet near-term demand.
—Leo Schwartz, Fortune, 6 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for scale
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scale
Verb
-
Thermal batteries tend to have very long lifespans—measured in decades rather than years.—
Erik Kobayashi-Solomon,
Forbes.com,
7 Aug. 2025
-
Growth is no longer measured by financial factors alone.—
Time,
Time,
6 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The price-to-book ratio remains a reasonable proxy for gauging Berkshire’s intrinsic value.—
Bill Stone,
Forbes.com,
15 Aug. 2025
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Automakers regularly use concept vehicles to gauge customer interest or show the future direction of a vehicle or brand, but they're not meant to be sold to consumers.—
Ali McCadden,
CNBC,
14 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Scale.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scale. Accessed 19 Aug. 2025.
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