nickeled-and-dimed
ˌni-kəld-ən-ˈdīmd 
or nickel-and-dimed
ˌni-kəl-ən-ˈdīmd
; nickeling-and-diming
ˌni-k(ə-)liŋ-ən-ˈdī-miŋ
or nickel-and-diming
ˌni-kəl-ən-ˈdī-miŋ
or nickel-and-dimed
ˌni-kəl-ən-ˈdīmd
; nickeling-and-diming
ˌni-k(ə-)liŋ-ən-ˈdī-miŋ
or nickel-and-diming
ˌni-kəl-ən-ˈdī-miŋ
1
: to impair, weaken, or defeat piecemeal (as through a series of small incursions or excessive attention to minor details)
2
: to treat (a person or situation) by paying excessive attention to small amounts of money often with a detrimental effect
Examples of nickel-and-dime in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Michelle Singletary, Washington Post, 26 July 2024
Love or hate Apple, the company’s nickel-and-dime approach to cables, dongles, and chargers primed people to believe reports like this.
—Andrew Cunningham, Ars Technica, 14 Sep. 2023
Finally, though, the Bengals didn’t nickel-and-dime a deal to death.
—Jason Williams, The Enquirer, 8 Sep. 2023
Doyel:Pacers won't get off mediocrity treadmill with nickel-and-dime moves from NBA Draft Nate Laszewski, Notre Dame Basketball fans in the state of Indiana should be familiar with Nate Laszewski of Notre Dame.
—Indystar Sports, The Indianapolis Star, 23 June 2023
This hasn’t even touched on other ways Disneyland can nickel-and-dime guests.
—Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2023
The break-in at a Philadelphia parking lot wasn’t a nickel-and-dime case.
—Phil Helsel, NBC News, 14 Apr. 2023
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Adjective
Southwest Airlines, which set itself apart from its nickel-and-dime competitors, will soon scrap its open-seat policy and charge folks for more legroom.
—Michelle Singletary, Washington Post, 26 July 2024
Love or hate Apple, the company’s nickel-and-dime approach to cables, dongles, and chargers primed people to believe reports like this.
—Andrew Cunningham, Ars Technica, 14 Sep. 2023
Finally, though, the Bengals didn’t nickel-and-dime a deal to death.
—Jason Williams, The Enquirer, 8 Sep. 2023
Doyel:Pacers won't get off mediocrity treadmill with nickel-and-dime moves from NBA Draft Nate Laszewski, Notre Dame Basketball fans in the state of Indiana should be familiar with Nate Laszewski of Notre Dame.
—Indystar Sports, The Indianapolis Star, 23 June 2023
This hasn’t even touched on other ways Disneyland can nickel-and-dime guests.
—Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2023
The break-in at a Philadelphia parking lot wasn’t a nickel-and-dime case.
—Phil Helsel, NBC News, 14 Apr. 2023
Dictionary Entries Near nickel-and-dime
Cite this Entry
“Nickel-and-dime.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nickel-and-dime. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.
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