grade inflation
noun
: a rise in the average grade assigned to students
especially
: the assigning of grades higher than previously assigned for given levels of achievement
Examples of grade inflation in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Concerns about grade inflation have also drawn scrutiny from Washington.
—
Bloomberg News, Boston Herald, 7 Feb. 2026
This has set off a new round of hand-wringing about grade inflation.
—Mitch Zimmer, Washington Post, 3 Feb. 2026
Given rampant grade inflation, an internship can be the most important differentiator for recent graduate hiring.
—Brandon Busteed, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
The academic rigor of higher education is also in doubt, with Harvard admitting that rampant grade inflation has resulted in about 60% of the marks that are handed out being A’s, up from 40% a decade ago and less than a quarter 20 years ago.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 10 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for grade inflation
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Bloomberg News, Boston Herald, 7 Feb. 2026
This has set off a new round of hand-wringing about grade inflation.
—Mitch Zimmer, Washington Post, 3 Feb. 2026
Given rampant grade inflation, an internship can be the most important differentiator for recent graduate hiring.
—Brandon Busteed, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
The academic rigor of higher education is also in doubt, with Harvard admitting that rampant grade inflation has resulted in about 60% of the marks that are handed out being A’s, up from 40% a decade ago and less than a quarter 20 years ago.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 10 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for grade inflation
Cite this Entry
“Grade inflation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/grade%20inflation. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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