scales 1 of 4

plural of scale
as in balances
a device for measuring weight I hate getting on the bathroom scale

Synonyms & Similar Words

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scales

2 of 4

noun (2)

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

scales

3 of 4

noun (3)

plural of scale

scales

4 of 4

verb

present tense third-person singular of scale

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 scales
Noun
Generic predictions include the same initial temperature everywhere, with a spectrum of seed fluctuations imprinted atop it that are Gaussian in nature and almost, but not quite, identical across cosmic scales. Big Think, 22 Oct. 2025 But, at large scales, laborers (who themselves are often poorly treated) are often paid by volume and are likely to work as quickly as possible which leads to mistreatment. Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025 Of course, no Amazon river cruise is complete without fishing for piranhas—not to eat, but to get an up-close glimpse of their colorful scales and razor-sharp teeth before returning them to the water. Jeri Clausing, AFAR Media, 21 Oct. 2025 If that sounds exactly like the type of single-mindedness that youth coaches want in their players, De Mil was conscious of Lammens tipping the scales by doing too much. Mark Critchley, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025 The difference between us and quantum computing is that some of our time scales start immediately. Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2025 Upon searching Gates’ home, authorities also found a capsule filling kit, syringes, medical droppers, medications and scales, according to The Post. Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 15 Oct. 2025 For Rodrigues, the big issue is how the various processes work together across length scales, from genes to cells to tissues. Anna Demming, Quanta Magazine, 10 Oct. 2025 However, Fred steals Velma's thunder when the scales are tilted in her favor to take back control. Lisa Stardust, PEOPLE, 10 Oct. 2025
Verb
Indianapolis offers winter shelter as homelessness rises The city has started offering emergency winter shelter in recent years as Indy's largest shelter provider, Wheeler Mission, scales back its overflow capacity amid rising homelessness. Jordan Smith, IndyStar, 15 Oct. 2025 This model takes different experiments (borrowing against reserves, testing settlement, improving transparency) and scales them into a system that can support global liquidity. Luke Xie, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Oct. 2025 How smoothly Tesla scales production without compromising supply stability or quality will be a key measure of success. Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 6 Oct. 2025 The maximum level is decent, but the output clearly scales non-linearly toward 100%. Matthew Buzzi, PC Magazine, 5 Oct. 2025 This principle scales down to the individual level. Marco Argenti, Time, 2 Oct. 2025 Now, as the magnitude of the space junk problem rapidly scales up, technological responses are ramping up as well. IEEE Spectrum, 30 Sep. 2025 Starbucks scales back Your town could soon have one fewer Starbucks. Rebecca Morin, USA Today, 25 Sep. 2025 As Waymo scales up service, riders will eventually be able to use the Lyft app to match with an autonomous vehicle, too, Waymo says, though the company wouldn’t specify when riders could expect that to take place. Jessica Mathews, Fortune, 17 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scales
Verb
  • The Cotton Incorporated Lifestyle Monitor™ Survey is an ongoing research program that measures consumer attitudes and behaviors relating to apparel, shopping, fashion, sustainability, and more.
    Catherine Salfino, Sourcing Journal, 21 Oct. 2025
  • Once in orbit, the satellite will unfold a mirror that measures 60 by 60 feet (18 by 18 meters) in order to demonstrate its ability to direct sunlight down onto targets on Earth.
    Tereza Pultarova, Space.com, 21 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Counter Culture starts you off with a quick quiz that gauges your preferences.
    Brittany Loggins, Bon Appetit Magazine, 14 Oct. 2025
  • Flood forecasts Along the coast, moderate to major flooding is forecast at nearly three dozen tide gauges from North Carolina to Long Island over the weekend, including the Chesapeake and Delaware bays.
    Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 11 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Scales.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scales. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025.

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