slippery slope

NOUN

domino effect

Synonyms

WEAK

causal sequence cause and effect chain of events contagion effect domino theory knock-on knock-on effect ripple effect

NOUN

primrose path

Synonyms

WEAK

garden path life of ease path of least resistance

NOUN

ripple effect

Synonyms

WEAK

causal sequence contagion effect dispersion dissemination domino effect knock-on effect overspreading sprawl

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.

Belgium, the Netherlands and Canada have all fallen down that slippery slope.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 6, 2026

Admittedly, answering emails on the weekend can be a slippery slope.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 18, 2026

This "slippery slope" argument has been repeatedly raised during debates at Holyrood.

From BBC • Mar. 17, 2026

For others, keeping secrets at all feels like a slippery slope.

From Slate • Sep. 10, 2025

As Douglas suspected, the Court in Terry had begun its slide down a very slippery slope.

From "The New Jim Crow" by Michelle Alexander