as in slope
the degree to which something rises up from a position level with the horizon
the path goes up at a pretty steep gradient before leveling off
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Recent Examples of gradient
Calendar pages with gradients, text overlays, or metallic accents create the most striking effects for this one, as the spiral created reveals unexpected color combinations.
—
Wendy Rose Gould, Martha Stewart, 31 Dec. 2025
Columns painted in gradients of yellow, red, and bronze evoke stability and uplift.
—Matthew Kayser, Miami Herald, 30 Dec. 2025
The image was captured using the telescope's most sensitive X-ray instrument, the European Photon Imaging Camera (EPIC)-pn, revealing a distinct X-ray glow (shown in red) surrounded by fainter gradients.
—Samantha Mathewson, Space.com, 18 Dec. 2025
High temperatures - December 18, 2025 KDKA Weather Center
The tightening pressure gradient between these two systems will result in increasing winds through the afternoon and evening hours.
—Trey Fulbright, CBS News, 18 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for gradient
Wendy Rose Gould, Martha Stewart, 31 Dec. 2025
Columns painted in gradients of yellow, red, and bronze evoke stability and uplift.
—Matthew Kayser, Miami Herald, 30 Dec. 2025
The image was captured using the telescope's most sensitive X-ray instrument, the European Photon Imaging Camera (EPIC)-pn, revealing a distinct X-ray glow (shown in red) surrounded by fainter gradients.
—Samantha Mathewson, Space.com, 18 Dec. 2025
High temperatures - December 18, 2025 KDKA Weather Center
The tightening pressure gradient between these two systems will result in increasing winds through the afternoon and evening hours.
—Trey Fulbright, CBS News, 18 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for gradient
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gradient
Noun
-
Strongest winds will occur on the eastern slopes of the San Bernardino mountains.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
7 Jan. 2026
-
This destabilizes the landscape, weakening steep slopes and damaging critical infrastructure.—
Paul Bierman,
Washington Post,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Ramírez attended the Liceo Fermín Toro, a public school with a reputation for revolutionary politics and catering to high-society families of slightly bohemian inclinations.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
16 Jan. 2026
-
But industry must adopt innovation that preserves nuance, predictive maintenance inclinations, and incident-specific experience only possible from years of hands-on work.—
Kriti Sharma,
Fortune,
15 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Our tester was also impressed by how quiet the machine was while increasing its incline.—
Izzy Baskette,
PEOPLE,
4 Jan. 2026
-
Lows were in the upper 40s, but temperatures will be on the incline throughout the day, topping out in the low 60s.—
Lauren Bostwick,
CBS News,
3 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Gradient.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gradient. Accessed 21 Jan. 2026.
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