the Richter scale

noun

technical
: a system of measurement used for showing the strength of an earthquake
The earthquake measured 4.5 on the Richter scale.

Examples of the Richter scale in a Sentence

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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.
Much like the Richter scale for earthquakes, each higher class is a 10-fold increase in energy. — Amanda Greenwood, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Dec. 2025 Every time an event, anywhere in the world, crosses a threshold on the Richter scale, the installation is dominated by a tritone played on a punk bass. — Pablo Larios, Artforum, 10 June 2026 The blast at the AES facility, an explosives manufacturing plant, was felt dozens of miles away and was measured on the Richter scale. — Evan Mealins, Nashville Tennessean, 12 Oct. 2025 While not a precise scientific designation, a megaquake is generally considered a large seismic event placed at an eight or higher on the Richter scale that ruptures along major faults and can trigger further events like tsunamis. — Connor Sturges, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for the Richter scale

Rhymes for the Richter scale

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the rich
the Richter scale
theridiid
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Cite this Entry

“The Richter scale.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20Richter%20scale. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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