as in incremental
proceeding or changing by steps or degrees
a gradual drop in gas prices will take place over the next several months
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Recent Examples of gradual
From a practical standpoint, this gradual approach also has cost benefits.
—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Miami Herald, 24 Apr. 2026
Khalifian recommends a gradual approach.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Apr. 2026
Electric vehicles pose a real long-term challenge to demand, but the shift is gradual.
—Sharon Wu, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2026
The 1970s heralded structural and technological changes which dramatically altered AAP’s editorial focus and set in motion the organization’s gradual transformation into a media-communications conglomerate.
—Kevin Patrick, Encyclopedia Britannica, 23 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for gradual
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Miami Herald, 24 Apr. 2026
Khalifian recommends a gradual approach.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Apr. 2026
Electric vehicles pose a real long-term challenge to demand, but the shift is gradual.
—Sharon Wu, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2026
The 1970s heralded structural and technological changes which dramatically altered AAP’s editorial focus and set in motion the organization’s gradual transformation into a media-communications conglomerate.
—Kevin Patrick, Encyclopedia Britannica, 23 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for gradual
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gradual
Adjective
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Earlier versions of direct carbon fuel cells struggled with limited power density and short operational lifespans, issues that the latest design aims to overcome through incremental engineering improvements.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
26 Apr. 2026
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Brian Vicente, partner at Vicente LLP, is optimistic that this week’s rescheduling is an incremental movement toward de-scheduling and maybe even legalizing marijuana altogether.—
Tiney Ricciardi,
Denver Post,
24 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The phased demolition of the Lincolnwood Town Center is expected to begin in May, with demolition of the building most recently known as Harlem Furniture, located on the southeast side closest to McCormick Boulevard.—
Pioneer Press,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Apr. 2026
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Create phased repair plans for critical maintenance over 10 years.—
Devyani Chhetri,
Dallas Morning News,
8 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Gradual.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gradual. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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