misery index

noun

: the sum of the rate of unemployment and the rate of inflation used as an economic indicator

Examples of misery index in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Historically, the misery index has accurately predicted the presidential outcome, with a high index number predicting that the incumbent party was set to lose. Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 30 Oct. 2024 For instance, the misery index reached 15% in 2020, indicating that President Trump was vulnerable in that year's race. Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 30 Oct. 2024 The misery index, an informal measure followed by economists, stood at 6.5% in September, below its average since 1947 of 9.1%, Ed Yardeni of Yardeni Research noted in a recent report. Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 18 Oct. 2024 The firm found this level through exclusive analysis of where the misery index would need to sit for the party currently in office to retain power, based on history. Alex Harring, CNBC, 10 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for misery index 

Word History

First Known Use

1975, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of misery index was in 1975

Dictionary Entries Near misery index

Cite this Entry

“Misery index.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/misery%20index. Accessed 18 Dec. 2024.

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