as in wages
an amount of money that is the least amount of money per hour that workers must be paid according to the law
Congress will vote on a bill to raise the minimum wage.
Related Words
Relevance
Example Sentences
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 minimum wages
The prime minister pointed to Ofgem’s new energy price cap, which amounts to a 7% decrease in energy bills, as well as increases to minimum wages.
—
Harriet Marsden, TheWeek, 1 Apr. 2026
California also has higher minimum wages for certain health care workers and a $20 minimum wage for fast food restaurant employees.
—Tim Fang, CBS News, 19 Mar. 2026
Companies at the top of the rankings often share common efforts across their workforces, from increasing professional development training hours to higher minimum wages and parental leave policies.
—Eric Rosenbaum, CNBC, 17 Mar. 2026
Over the last year, labor tensions over minimum wages and working conditions have intensified over the past year, even as global consumption patterns disrupted orders.
—Mayu Saini, Sourcing Journal, 16 Feb. 2026
The athletes primarily seek to recover unpaid minimum wages as far back as 2016.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 4 Feb. 2026
The social crisis also persists, with minimum wages failing to cover basic living costs and public services showing little improvement.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 3 Feb. 2026
How do Kansas and Missouri’s minimum wages compare to nearby states?
—Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 18 Jan. 2026
How the states' minimum wages stack up Florida, Alaska and Oregon will also raise their pay requirements later in 2026.
—Jennifer Borresen, USA Today, 11 Jan. 2026
Harriet Marsden, TheWeek, 1 Apr. 2026
California also has higher minimum wages for certain health care workers and a $20 minimum wage for fast food restaurant employees.
—Tim Fang, CBS News, 19 Mar. 2026
Companies at the top of the rankings often share common efforts across their workforces, from increasing professional development training hours to higher minimum wages and parental leave policies.
—Eric Rosenbaum, CNBC, 17 Mar. 2026
Over the last year, labor tensions over minimum wages and working conditions have intensified over the past year, even as global consumption patterns disrupted orders.
—Mayu Saini, Sourcing Journal, 16 Feb. 2026
The athletes primarily seek to recover unpaid minimum wages as far back as 2016.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 4 Feb. 2026
The social crisis also persists, with minimum wages failing to cover basic living costs and public services showing little improvement.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 3 Feb. 2026
How do Kansas and Missouri’s minimum wages compare to nearby states?
—Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 18 Jan. 2026
How the states' minimum wages stack up Florida, Alaska and Oregon will also raise their pay requirements later in 2026.
—Jennifer Borresen, USA Today, 11 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for minimum wages
Noun
-
While bonds are used to pay for projects, governments typically use tax levies to pay for operating expenses like wages, health care or utilities.—
Eleanor Nash,
Kansas City Star,
4 Apr. 2026
-
The unions have been negotiating with the district for more than a year over wages, staffing levels and working conditions.—
Teresa Liu,
Daily News,
4 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Santa Clara’s salaries for sheriff, medical examiner, county assessor, budget director and head of IT were also all higher than Mecklenburg’s as of 2024.—
Mary Ramsey,
Charlotte Observer,
31 Mar. 2026
-
If salaries alone are any indication, demand for the best of the best talent has never been higher.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
31 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Minimum wages.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/minimum%20wages. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
