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
Commissioners have also adopted a sliding scale, for building height.
—
Sherry Greenfield, Baltimore Sun, 4 Mar. 2024
If travelers want to avoid the sliding scale of fees, there are a few key points to pay attention to in JetBlue’s new policy.
—Jessica Puckett, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for sliding scale 
Sherry Greenfield, Baltimore Sun, 4 Mar. 2024
If travelers want to avoid the sliding scale of fees, there are a few key points to pay attention to in JetBlue’s new policy.
—Jessica Puckett, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 Apr. 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 29 May. 2024.
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