trickle-down

adjective

trick·​le-down ˈtri-kəl-ˈdau̇n How to pronounce trickle-down (audio)
1
: relating to or working on the principle of trickle-down theory
trickle-down economics
2
: relating to or being an effect caused gradually by remote or indirect influences

Examples of trickle-down in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Burdened by a weak economy, a calamitous foray into trickle-down tax policies, and successive scandals, the Tories have seemed exhausted and adrift, split by internal feuds and fatalistic about their future. Mark Landler, New York Times, 22 May 2024 There’s some concern that the absence of this year’s event will have a trickle-down effect on the biking community. Edward Lee, Baltimore Sun, 8 May 2024 Our obsession with academic higher education—justified in part on the basis that this will generate growth, which in turn will benefit non-graduates—is simply the educational equivalent of trickle-down economics. Daniel Chandler, TIME, 14 May 2024 Top predators like wolves and sharks whose absence had drastic trickle-down impacts were demonstrably keystones. Lesley Evans Ogden, Smithsonian Magazine, 9 May 2024 Finally, induced spending accounts for the trickle-down effects of hospitality employees. Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 5 Apr. 2024 Their success signals the future of AI adoption and has a trickle-down effect on the e-commerce industry. Max Firsau, Forbes, 27 Mar. 2024 And some health care experts and doctors were optimistic that the boon to Einstein would be felt beyond the campus, with a trickle-down effect that would eventually improve health care across the Bronx. Joseph Goldstein, New York Times, 4 Mar. 2024 Forerunner 165 vs 265: Multi-band GPS The Forerunner 265 was an important trickle-down moment for one of Garmin’s more recent features, multi-band GPS. Andrew Williams, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'trickle-down.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1944, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of trickle-down was in 1944

Dictionary Entries Near trickle-down

Cite this Entry

“Trickle-down.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/trickle-down. Accessed 1 Jun. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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