nickel-and-dime

adjective

Definition of nickel-and-dimenext
as in small-time

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Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of nickel-and-dime So, yes, Mercedes is not afraid to nickel-and-dime anyone with their compact sedan. — Adam Ismail, The Drive, 11 June 2026 Full-service hotels like Marriott and InterContinental still offer a more inclusive experience, and international airlines like Qatar Airways don't nickel-and-dime you for luggage. — Christopher Elliott, USA Today, 21 Oct. 2025 The nickel-and-dime crack sales; the tickets for open containers — none of that mattered anymore. — Paul Solotaroff, Rolling Stone, 11 May 2025 With a comfy 16-point cushion entering the fourth quarter, though, Adelman turned to Jordan again to nickel-and-dime Jokic a few minutes of rest. — Luca Evans, Denver Post, 29 Apr. 2025 That’s caused the run game to fade and forced Patrick Mahomes to lean more into a nickel-and-dime approach. — Sam Farmer, Los Angeles Times, 16 Jan. 2025 Much of it has been nickel-and-dime stuff but with some big-name crooks. — Rick Kogan, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2024 Trying to nickel-and-dime such an important player could have done more harm than good. — Darnell Mayberry, The Athletic, 1 Aug. 2024 Southwest Airlines, which set itself apart from its nickel-and-dime competitors, will soon scrap its open-seat policy and charge folks for more legroom. — Michelle Singletary, Washington Post, 26 July 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nickel-and-dime
  1. small-time
  2. petty
  3. worthless
Adjective
  • In a key role, Gathegi will play a small-time crook with big time ambitions who is in over his head, according to sources.
    — Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 30 Sep. 2026
  • Shades of Paradise follows four small-time criminals who are thrown into an odyssey of violence and betrayal following a jewel-heist.
    — Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of small-time
Adjective
  • Blacks in the South were routinely imprisoned on petty or trumped-up charges, then leased out to landowners, mining companies, railroads and factories as unpaid labor.
    — Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Meanwhile, out on the streets, young con artist Thomas Shepherd (Ruaridh Mollica) and pickpocket Lisa Molinari (Lauren Morais) are running petty scams.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of petty
Adjective
  • Celebrated as masterpieces today, at the time they were regarded as the unpolished works of a depressed, crazy man and commercially worthless.
    — Joan Martelli, Time, 17 Oct. 2026
  • But a few years back, collectors were paying up to tens of millions for now-worthless NFTs, so the value of anything in the art collectibles world is arguably whatever somebody is willing to pay.
    — James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of worthless

Browse Nearby Words

nicked (at)
nickel-and-dime
nickelodeon
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Cite this Entry

“Nickel-and-dime.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nickel-and-dime. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.

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