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
For privacy, the windows switch to opaque at the push of a button, offering a sliding scale of translucency settings in between.
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New Atlas, 8 Sep. 2024
And with fewer submissions, the org’s sliding scale has led to fewer nominations in several categories (dropping to five in the lead comedy and limited/anthology/TV movie acting fields).
—Jordan Moreau, Variety, 17 July 2024
To receive bond money, districts must raise a local bond of their own and then apply to the State Facilities Program for a funding match on a sliding scale up to 65% for renovations and 55% for new construction — 5% more than previous bonds.
—Jenny Gold, Los Angeles Times, 5 July 2024
Payments from the program are calculated using a sliding scale that’s based on a worker’s recent average weekly wage.
—Seth Klamann, The Denver Post, 1 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for sliding scale 
New Atlas, 8 Sep. 2024
And with fewer submissions, the org’s sliding scale has led to fewer nominations in several categories (dropping to five in the lead comedy and limited/anthology/TV movie acting fields).
—Jordan Moreau, Variety, 17 July 2024
To receive bond money, districts must raise a local bond of their own and then apply to the State Facilities Program for a funding match on a sliding scale up to 65% for renovations and 55% for new construction — 5% more than previous bonds.
—Jenny Gold, Los Angeles Times, 5 July 2024
Payments from the program are calculated using a sliding scale that’s based on a worker’s recent average weekly wage.
—Seth Klamann, The Denver Post, 1 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for sliding scale
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'sliding scale.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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 20 Sep. 2024.
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