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
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
Medicare would create a sliding scale for beneficiary cost-sharing for the long-term care services.
—Ivana Saric, Axios, 9 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for sliding scale 
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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
Medicare would create a sliding scale for beneficiary cost-sharing for the long-term care services.
—Ivana Saric, Axios, 9 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 Dec. 2024.
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