piecemeal

²piecemeal

adj

Definition of PIECEMEAL

: done, made, or accomplished piece by piece or in a fragmentary way <piecemeal reforms in the system>

Examples of PIECEMEAL

1. They've done piecemeal repairs in the past, but the bridge now needs major reconstruction.
2. Some people want the changes to be made all at once, but I think we should take a more piecemeal approach.

First Known Use of PIECEMEAL

1600

Related to PIECEMEAL

Synonyms: gradational, incremental, phased, gradual, step-by-step

Antonyms: abrupt, sudden

Related Words: progressive, stepped, tapered; imperceptible, inching; decrescent, increscent

Near Antonyms: discontinuous, saltatory; acute, sharp; changeable, dynamic, meteoric, volatile

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