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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Recent Examples of scale
Scott Travis, Sun Sentinel, 12 July 2025
The amount of fireworks and explosives on site when the series of fires and explosions began is unclear, but appeared to be out of compliance with federal storage and processing requirements, experts told The Bee, based on the size of the explosions and the apparent scale of the operation.
—Sacbee.com, 12 July 2025
Connie Etemadi, USA Today, 30 June 2025
Several events nationwide had to scale back their celebrations because of a loss of funding; in some cases, organizers said corporate sponsors asked to remain anonymous.
—Angie Leventis Lourgos, Chicago Tribune, 30 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for scale
Noun
The state has determined that the grading scale for high schools may be too easy, since 82% of all high schools received an A or a B. Under state law, the grading scale must be toughened if more than 75% of schools in a particular category receive A’s and B’s.
—Scott Travis, Sun Sentinel, 12 July 2025
The amount of fireworks and explosives on site when the series of fires and explosions began is unclear, but appeared to be out of compliance with federal storage and processing requirements, experts told The Bee, based on the size of the explosions and the apparent scale of the operation.
—Sacbee.com, 12 July 2025
Verb
Tools like these could help independent fleets not only stay competitive but scale more sustainably.
—Connie Etemadi, USA Today, 30 June 2025
Several events nationwide had to scale back their celebrations because of a loss of funding; in some cases, organizers said corporate sponsors asked to remain anonymous.
—Angie Leventis Lourgos, Chicago Tribune, 30 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for scale
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scale
Verb
-
Don’t measure your progress by job titles or years in one role.—
Minh Pham-Costello,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
-
What to know about earthquakes Magnitude measures the energy released at the source of the earthquake, the U.S. Geological Survey says.—
Don Sweeney,
Sacbee.com,
1 July 2025
Verb
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The study also added new metrics this year to gauge the states’ risks from a trade war and a shrinking federal budget, including cuts in federal research grants.—
Adrienne Roberts,
Freep.com,
11 July 2025
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Teams can also speak directly with restricted free agents starting at 7:01 p.m. Eastern Time on June 30, so Carolina was able to gauge his interest ahead of Noon on July 1, when free agents are allowed to start signing deals.—
Peter Baugh,
New York Times,
10 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Scale.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scale. Accessed 17 Jul. 2025.
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