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 the Affordable Care Act, Americans had been eligible for financial assistance on a sliding scale based on income.
—
Noah Weiland, New York Times, 8 Jan. 2025
Between 20 and 30 years of substantial earnings, there is a sliding scale for the reduction, basically 10% a year from year 20 to year 30, or $61 per year.
—Thomas Hager, Forbes, 5 Dec. 2024
Advertisement To receive bond money, districts must raise a local bond of their own and then apply to the School Facility 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, 7 Nov. 2024
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
See all Example Sentences for sliding scale 
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Noah Weiland, New York Times, 8 Jan. 2025
Between 20 and 30 years of substantial earnings, there is a sliding scale for the reduction, basically 10% a year from year 20 to year 30, or $61 per year.
—Thomas Hager, Forbes, 5 Dec. 2024
Advertisement To receive bond money, districts must raise a local bond of their own and then apply to the School Facility 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, 7 Nov. 2024
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
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 22 Jan. 2025.
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