grade inflation

noun

: a rise in the average grade assigned to students
especially : the assigning of grades higher than previously assigned for given levels of achievement

Examples of grade inflation in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
The new policy was approved in May by 70% of Harvard faculty in the school of arts and sciences, in one of the strongest moves against grade inflation in US higher education in decades. — Tribune News Service, Baltimore Sun, 19 Aug. 2026 And address grade inflation through faculty governance and academic leadership. — David Rosowsky, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026 Writers argue in our opinion section about calculator theft, the cure for teenage sleep deprivation, grade inflation, AI policies, and more. — Annabelle Garland, The Atlantic, 23 July 2026 One sure focus is the rampant grade inflation that exaggerates student achievement and has made graduating high school close to meaningless as an indicator of college preparedness. — U T Editorial Board, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for grade inflation

Word History

First Known Use

1975, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of grade inflation was in 1975

Rhymes for grade inflation

See All Rhymes for grade inflation

Browse Nearby Words

grade down
grade inflation
grade line
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Grade inflation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/grade%20inflation. Accessed 29 Aug. 2026.

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