Thesaurus.com
Dictionary.com
Showing results for real wages.
Definitions

real wages

[ree-uhl, reel] / ˈri əl, ril /
NOUN
purchasing power
Synonyms
WEAK
buying power earnings
NOUN
take-home pay
Synonyms
STRONGEST
net income
WEAK
net earnings net pay net wages take-home take-home income taxable income wages after taxes

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.

Consumer spending, two-thirds of US GDP, is pressured by falling real wages; AI enthusiasm also appears shaky.

From Barron's • Mar. 30, 2026

Americans with the lowest incomes saw their real wages fall in 2025, according to a study from the Economic Policy Institute, a think tank that analyzed census data.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 24, 2026

Barr’s base case is that disruptions will be painful but temporary, with productivity gains eventually lifting real wages and supporting growth.

From Barron's • Feb. 17, 2026

The big news from the economy this week is that inflation is coming down, the jobs market is better than expected and real wages are rising.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 13, 2026

Then she would be free to go or stay, work for "real wages" for this mistress, or engage herself to another.

From The Brass Bound Box by Horne, Diantha W.