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Definitions

nickel-and-dime

[nik-uhl-uhn-dahym] / ˈnɪk əl ənˈdaɪm /
ADJECTIVE
inconsiderable
Synonyms
WEAK
base casual cheap contemptible frivolous inconsequent inessential inferior irrelevant junior lesser light little lower measly minor narrow-minded negligible niggling nugatory of no account paltry peanut penny-ante pettifogging picayune piddling scratch secondary shabby shallow shoestring slight small small-minded subordinate trifling two-bit unimportant
ADJECTIVE
petty
Synonyms
STRONGEST
frivolous lesser minor narrow-minded
STRONG
base inessential inferior junior light little lower peanut scratch secondary shallow shoestring slight small subordinate trifling
WEAK
casual cheap contemptible inconsequent inconsiderable irrelevant measly negligible niggling paltry penny-ante pettifogging picayune piddling shabby small-minded two-bit unimportant
Antonyms
STRONGEST
greater major
STRONG
big enormous first-class first-rate great huge immense important large significant superior
WEAK
consequential necessary prominent useful

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

But don’t nickel-and-dime your enjoyment of your life in order to punish yourself for financial decisions.

From MarketWatch • Oct. 10, 2025

Many teams are trying to slow down Kansas City’s offense by playing zone defenses, but the tradeoff is watching Travis Kelce nickel-and-dime his way down the field.

From Washington Times • Oct. 15, 2023

After years of allegedly running other nickel-and-dime scams, Santos appears to have concluded, for good reason, that the GOP donation pool is composed of easily shaken down marks.

From Salon • Oct. 12, 2023

Maybe they result in some nickel-and-dime gains for businesses from people who throw in the towel and pay whatever’s being demanded.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 28, 2022

Nothing—only the finest nickel-and-dime store in all the world!

From "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn" by Betty Smith

Vocabulary lists containing nickel-and-dime

Unimportant

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