scale 1 of 4

as in balance
a device for measuring weight I hate getting on the bathroom scale

Synonyms & Similar Words

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scale

2 of 4

noun (2)

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

scale

3 of 4

noun (3)

scale

4 of 4

verb

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 scale
Noun
Authorities emphasized the unusual nature of the case, noting that while petty theft is common, the systematic targeting of outdoor seating on such a large scale is rare. Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 22 Oct. 2025 No company has yet achieved wide-scale commercialization of self-driving cars, so GM believes an opportunity for leadership still exists. Vanessa Yurkevich, CNN Money, 22 Oct. 2025
Verb
The success of these trials confirmed the system’s readiness for deployment and provided valuable insights for scaling production. Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 16 Oct. 2025 For starters, elevated interest rates over the past few years have prompted builders to scale back, focusing on smaller, more attainable homes such as townhomes rather than large five-bedroom houses. Collyn Wainwright, Nashville Tennessean, 16 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for scale
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scale
Verb
  • Venture capital performance may be measured in ten-year chunks, but only an elite club of firms can claim to have stayed consistent—let alone functional—for anywhere close to that timeframe.
    Leo Schwartz, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2025
  • 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
Verb
  • For example, Indigenous observations of changes in a landscape over long periods of time can help gauge the impact of global climate change.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 22 Oct. 2025
  • As a reminder, analysts focus on orders to gauge demand, versus sales, which could be the result of fulfilling past orders.
    Zev Fima, CNBC, 22 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

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

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