nickel-and-dime

1 of 2

adjective

nick·​el-and-dime ˌni-kəl-ən-ˈdīm How to pronounce nickel-and-dime (audio)
Synonyms of nickel-and-dimenext
1
: involving or offering only a small amount of money
2
: small-time

nickel-and-dime

2 of 2

verb

nickeled-and-dimed ˌni-kəld-ən-ˈdīmd How to pronounce nickel-and-dime (audio) or nickel-and-dimed ˌni-kəl-ən-ˈdīmd How to pronounce nickel-and-dime (audio) ; nickeling-and-diming ˌni-k(ə-)liŋ-ən-ˈdī-miŋ How to pronounce nickel-and-dime (audio) or nickel-and-diming ˌni-kəl-ən-ˈdī-miŋ How to pronounce nickel-and-dime (audio)

transitive verb

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
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.
Adjective
Much of it has been nickel-and-dime stuff but with some big-name crooks. — Rick Kogan, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2024 Trying to nickel-and-dime such an important player could have done more harm than good. — Darnell Mayberry, The Athletic, 1 Aug. 2024 So, yes, Mercedes is not afraid to nickel-and-dime anyone with their compact sedan. — Adam Ismail, The Drive, 11 June 2026 The nickel-and-dime crack sales; the tickets for open containers — none of that mattered anymore. — Paul Solotaroff, Rolling Stone, 11 May 2025 That’s caused the run game to fade and forced Patrick Mahomes to lean more into a nickel-and-dime approach. — Sam Farmer, Los Angeles Times, 16 Jan. 2025 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 With a comfy 16-point cushion entering the fourth quarter, though, Adelman turned to Jordan again to nickel-and-dime Jokic a few minutes of rest. — Luca Evans, Denver Post, 29 Apr. 2025 Full-service hotels like Marriott and InterContinental still offer a more inclusive experience, and international airlines like Qatar Airways don't nickel-and-dime you for luggage. — Christopher Elliott, USA Today, 21 Oct. 2025
Verb
So, yes, Mercedes is not afraid to nickel-and-dime anyone with their compact sedan. — Adam Ismail, The Drive, 11 June 2026 Bankruptcies, drunk driving charges, delinquent child support, foreclosures, nickel-and-dime car wrecks, suspicious slip-and-falls, dubious claims of disabilities — the stock-in- trade of a run-of-the-mill street lawyer whose law school dreams of riches had faded so dim they were almost gone. — Lizz Schumer, PEOPLE, 17 Oct. 2025 Full-service hotels like Marriott and InterContinental still offer a more inclusive experience, and international airlines like Qatar Airways don't nickel-and-dime you for luggage. — Christopher Elliott, USA Today, 21 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1879, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1913, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of nickel-and-dime was in 1879

Rhymes for nickel-and-dime

See All Rhymes for nickel-and-dime

Browse Nearby Words

nickelage
nickel-and-dime
nickel bloom
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Nickel-and-dime.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nickel-and-dime. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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