sliding scale
noun
1
: a wage scale geared to the selling price of the product or to the consumer price index but usually guaranteeing a minimum below which the wage will not fall
2
a
: a system for raising or lowering tariffs in accord with price changes
b
: a flexible scale (as of fees or subsidies) adjusted to the needs or income of individuals
the sliding scale of medical fees
Examples of sliding scale in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Under Harris’s proposal, coverage and cost-sharing would be decided on a sliding scale based on income.
—
Lauren J. Young, Scientific American, 29 Oct. 2024
Medicare would create a sliding scale for beneficiary cost-sharing for the long-term care services.
—Ivana Saric, Axios, 9 Oct. 2024
Tickets are $30 (subject to change, increasing on a sliding scale depending on availability), $15 for students and military with a valid ID.
—Eric E. Harrison, arkansasonline.com, 28 Sep. 2024
Those charges carry a statutory maximum sentence of around 110 years, but there’s a sliding scale that takes into account the scope of the crimes and the criminal history of the defendant.
—Mackenzie Sigalos, CNBC, 24 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for sliding scale 
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Lauren J. Young, Scientific American, 29 Oct. 2024
Medicare would create a sliding scale for beneficiary cost-sharing for the long-term care services.
—Ivana Saric, Axios, 9 Oct. 2024
Tickets are $30 (subject to change, increasing on a sliding scale depending on availability), $15 for students and military with a valid ID.
—Eric E. Harrison, arkansasonline.com, 28 Sep. 2024
Those charges carry a statutory maximum sentence of around 110 years, but there’s a sliding scale that takes into account the scope of the crimes and the criminal history of the defendant.
—Mackenzie Sigalos, CNBC, 24 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for sliding scale
Dictionary Entries Near sliding scale
Cite this Entry
“Sliding scale.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sliding%20scale. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.
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