scale 1 of 4

noun (1)

ˈskāl How to pronounce scale (audio)
Definition of scalenext
as in balance
a device for measuring weight I hate getting on the bathroom scale

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Relevance

scale

2 of 4

noun (2)

as in plate
a small thin piece of material that resembles an animal scale scales of mica were embedded in the granite

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scale

3 of 4

noun (3)

1
as in hierarchy
a scheme of rank or order a student who scored very highly on a standard intelligence scale

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2
as in spectrum
the distance or extent between possible extremes with the scale going from one to ten, what did you think of the movie?

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scale

4 of 4

verb

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

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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 scale
Noun
Lithium-ion battery demand for electric vehicles, utility-scale and data center energy storage, and the emerging robotics industry are all driving the growth. — Jordan Blum, Fortune, 7 Nov. 2026 Groth said the scale and complexity of such thefts suggest increasingly sophisticated criminal operations. — Suzanne Phan, ABC News, 6 Nov. 2026
Verb
Since 1994, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade has invited guests to see the process the balloons undergo to reach their larger-than-life size and scale the afternoon before Thanksgiving. — Rachel Chang, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Nov. 2026 Still, it was interpreted as another potentially concerning sign for the industry, which remains a very long way from scaling up. — Hilary Whiteman, CNN Money, 6 Nov. 2026 See All Example Sentences for scale
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scale
  1. balance
  2. plate
  3. hierarchy
  4. spectrum
  5. measure
  6. ladder
  7. range
  8. gauge
Noun
  • But cancer, a spinal issue, and three surgeries in three years changed my body and my sense of balance.
    — Maribeth Romslo, Rolling Stone, 1 Nov. 2026
  • Antarctica Silversea’s first ship reimagined for polar pursuits, Silver Cloud strikes a commendable balance between expedition thrills and luxury amenities.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Oct. 2026
Definition of balance
Noun
  • At the same time, opportunistic politicians and their allies took to swiping cash from the collection plate.
    — Ryan Lenora Brown, Christian Science Monitor, 5 Nov. 2026
  • Microwave potato on a microwave-proof plate on high 5 minutes.
    — Kelsey Jane Youngman, Bon Appetit Magazine, 5 Nov. 2026
Definition of plate
Noun
  • The film’s symmetrical compositions, the careful placement of characters within these distinctive spaces, all serve to create a sense of immovable social hierarchy and repression.
    — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 6 Nov. 2026
  • Decades earlier, Atlanta had thrown its own enormous party, celebrating a fantasy of Southern womanhood while reinforcing the racial and social hierarchies of the real South—and conveniently leaving the horrors of slavery out of the picture.
    — Serena Turner, Vanity Fair, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of hierarchy
Noun
  • Leading up to Tuesday evening, Democrats from across the ideological spectrum were preemptively laying claim to their roles in helping flip the House and their visions for what a Democratic majority might be capable of doing.
    — Nicholas Wu, semafor.com, 4 Nov. 2026
  • After running a campaign centered around moderation and appealing to both sides of the political spectrum, Hamilton will soon have to take clear positions on key policy measures that impact Kansas.
    — Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of spectrum
Verb
  • Wall Street’s fear gauge, the VIX, which measures expectations for volatility, surged 50% and hit its highest level in seven months.
    — Elisabeth Buchwald, CNN Money, 5 Nov. 2026
  • This test measures the system's video-editing capabilities, which heavily stress both the CPU and GPU.
    — Joe Osborne, PC Magazine, 5 Nov. 2026
Definition of measure
Noun
  • If the atom was originally in its lowest possible energy state, the new arrival immediately defines a new set of energy levels, like a fire-escape ladder that suddenly descends.
    — George Musser, Quanta Magazine, 2 Nov. 2026
  • Ask your funding partner what that ladder looks like for your business.
    — Elliot Ashkenazie, Forbes.com, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of ladder
Noun
  • Run by a Chilean nonprofit, Latinobarómetro measures views on a range of issues, including democracy, economy, security and immigration but also the influence of world powers like China and the United States.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 4 Nov. 2026
  • The rooms The 50 rooms and suites range in size from studios to two bedrooms.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of range
Verb
  • Currently, artificial intelligence investments and tech sector movements represent the primary variables dictating market direction, making the progress of data center construction a critical proxy for gauging AI investment prospects.
    — , CNBC, 5 Nov. 2026
  • From weather forecasts to risk management The researchers stress that the technology is designed to supplement rather than replace high-precision precipitation gauges.
    — Muskan Bhatia, Interesting Engineering, 5 Nov. 2026
Definition of gauge

Browse Nearby Words

scalds
scale
scaled
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Cite this Entry

“Scale.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scale. Accessed 9 Nov. 2026.

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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about scale

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