Thesaurus results for SCALES

scales 1 of 4

noun (1)

plural of scale

as in balances

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

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scales

2 of 4

noun (2)

plural of scale

as in plates

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

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scales

3 of 4

noun (3)

plural of scale

as in hierarchies

a scheme of rank or order a student who scored very highly on a standard intelligence scale

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as in ranges

the distance or extent between possible extremes with the scale going from one to ten, what did you think of the movie?

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scales

4 of 4

verb

present tense third-person singular of scale

as in measures

to find out the size, extent, or amount of scaled the logs to get a rough idea of the amount of usable lumber they were likely to yield

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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 scales

Noun

Each of the four fold-out implements within the Helton chassis locks in place via a simple liner lock-style mechanism between the scales that secures the tool at the joint. — New Atlas, 1 Sep. 2026 Because the amount of charge scales with how far a drop slides and the coating’s ability to resist scales with its thickness, the effect has a limit. — Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 31 Aug. 2026 That gives the partnership a route from materials research and experimental manufacturing toward processes that could eventually be demonstrated at production-relevant scales. — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 29 Aug. 2026 The pursuit ended at the Antelope truck scales, where video showed Kreuzer slowing the Volkswagen, turning around and stopping while faced the wrong direction on the interstate toward the pursuing deputies. — Daniel Hunt august 29, Sacbee.com, 29 Aug. 2026 There are so many different kinds of experience, so many different scales of time, so many different scales of space. — Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 28 Aug. 2026 Posing next to co-star Sandra Bullock, the Australian star looked statuesque in a strapless column dress that was completely covered in icy mint sequins, which looked like scales. — Lara Walsh, InStyle, 26 Aug. 2026 Usually, the areas are moist and shiny, not with the whitish scales seen in plaque psoriasis. — Ruth Jessen Hickman, HEALTH, 25 Aug. 2026 Earlier in training camp, Falcons quarterbacks coach Alex Van Pelt previously said the team had to evaluate Penix and Tua Tagovailoa on different scales. — Daniel Flick, AJC.com, 22 Aug. 2026

Verb

If the technology scales as planned, the plant could provide more than a new source of electrolyte materials. — Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 22 Aug. 2026 Adoption scales more sustainably when people learn supervision, not just operation, of the tool. — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026 Rather than reinventing that formula, the Max 4 scales it up dramatically for users printing items ranging from large cosplay parts to functional prototypes to industrial-style engineering components. — Michael Lydick, PC Magazine, 15 Aug. 2026 Circle Garden Chives frame the quadrants of this circle garden, and a clematis scales the central trellis. — Teresa Woodard, Midwest Living, 12 Aug. 2026 The stormy painting conjures the first moments of In the Hand of Dante, as the titular character, portrayed by Oscar Isaac, scales perilously steep steps to what seems an impenetrable stronghold. — A.d. Amorosi, SPIN, 6 Aug. 2026 After desecrating the statue, the vandal returns the hammer to his pocket, scales the fence and flees into the night, the footage shows. — Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 5 Aug. 2026 When planning is coordinated, investment becomes more efficient, projects move faster and innovation scales more quickly. — Andreas Schierenbeck, Fortune, 27 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for scales

Noun

Rodriguez says her program is also seeing more borrowers with past-due balances.

— Andreina Rodriguez, CNBC, 26 Aug. 2026
Before applying, review your credit reports for errors, make other debt payments on time and pay down credit card and other debt balances when possible.

— Deane Biermeier, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of balances

Noun

From plates and knives not being clean to flies stuck on traps, health inspectors in Missouri and Kansas found numerous violations at Kansas City-area restaurants last week.

— Joseph Hernandez August 31, Kansas City Star, 31 Aug. 2026
Protein seems to be on everyone’s minds (and plates) these days, with many of us getting our fill from fish, beef, chicken, or plant proteins like beans, avocados, tofu, and tempeh.

— Randi Gollin, Martha Stewart, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of plates

Noun

Depending on the club, the hierarchies are still clear, and there might be little overlap between those positions.

— Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026
While mapping these structural hierarchies is a foundational data modeling challenge, the piece that most organizations completely underestimate is the dynamic signal layer.

— Filip Popovic, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of hierarchies

Noun

The stock market is doing just enough, through slim trading volumes and narrow index trading ranges, to escape August with its uptrend intact.

— Michael Santoli, CNBC, 31 Aug. 2026
In practice, American pilots will be able to detect an enemy on radar, launch the missile from extreme ranges and destroy the target before coming within close proximity to the enemy, potentially increasing the pilot's survivability.

— Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of ranges

Verb

The minimum safe thickness is a threshold that measures a tank’s ability to contain the pressure of the liquid and support the tank’s weight, the report said.

— ABC News, ABC News, 28 Aug. 2026
According to Society For American Baseball Research (SABR) Defensive Index, the club measures favorably at each infield position.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of measures

Noun

As impressive as many space-saving tiny houses are, not everyone is cut out for climbing into small lofts using movable ladders, or sleeping on a sofa bed every night.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 30 Aug. 2026
Additionally, local fire department ladders only reached a height of 100 feet, CW affiliate WGN and WBC reported at the time.

— Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of ladders

Noun

The consensus seems to be that these bizarre objects, which were first discovered in 2022, are growing supermassive black holes entombed within huge clouds of gas that have spectrums similar to cool, red stars, such as red giants.

— Keith Cooper, Space.com, 12 Aug. 2026
Watson and Sanders are at different ends of their respective career spectrums.

— ABC News, ABC News, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of spectra

Verb

Another neat trick this TV has up its sleeve is an AI light sensor that gauges the room's ambient light and automatically adjusts the screen brightness to it.

— Kelsey Fogarty, PC Magazine, 21 Aug. 2026
San Diego earned a 78 out of 100 Redfin Compete Score, which gauges how competitive a market is.

— Wyles Daniel, USA Today, 16 July 2026

Definition of gauges

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scalelike

scales

scaling

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Style

“Scales.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scales. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of scales

noun (1)

noun (2)

noun (3)

verb

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