slippery slope
noun
: a course of action that seems to lead inevitably from one action or result to another with unintended consequences
Examples of slippery slope in a Sentence
His behavior will lead him down a slippery slope to ruin.
Recent Examples on the Web
Mizzou has been sitting on the slippery slope of the NCAA Tournament bubble, but things changed after beating the Aggies.
—
Ally Schniepp, Kansas City Star, 13 Feb. 2026
Workers say that could be the first step down a slippery slope that leads to layoffs and damage to patient health.
—Queenie Wong, Los Angeles Times, 6 Feb. 2026
Many critics fear a slippery slope that would deter innovation in California more broadly by targeting wealthy people who aren’t billionaires.
—Ethan Baron, Mercury News, 22 Jan. 2026
Housing security Experts, meanwhile, have warned that BNPL can be a slippery slope that can end up pushing consumers further into debt — an issue that could pose bigger risks when dealing with monthly rent.
—Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 20 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for slippery slope
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Ally Schniepp, Kansas City Star, 13 Feb. 2026
Workers say that could be the first step down a slippery slope that leads to layoffs and damage to patient health.
—Queenie Wong, Los Angeles Times, 6 Feb. 2026
Many critics fear a slippery slope that would deter innovation in California more broadly by targeting wealthy people who aren’t billionaires.
—Ethan Baron, Mercury News, 22 Jan. 2026
Housing security Experts, meanwhile, have warned that BNPL can be a slippery slope that can end up pushing consumers further into debt — an issue that could pose bigger risks when dealing with monthly rent.
—Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 20 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for slippery slope
Cite this Entry
“Slippery slope.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/slippery%20slope. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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