as in gradually
by small steps or amounts
little by little, we pieced together the jigsaw puzzle
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of little by little
After the loss of her grandmother, cleaner Flora connects deeply with a teacher who, little by little, is becoming transparent.
—
Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 19 Sep. 2025
Suddenly, little by little, the schedule completely went away, obviously.
—Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 18 Sep. 2025
You may be tempted to go straight in with loads of product, but for the best lash look, Gray recommends starting little by little.
—Ariana Yaptangco, Glamour, 10 Sep. 2025
But the scrappy Padres battled back – little by little.
—Dan Freedman, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for little by little
Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 19 Sep. 2025
Suddenly, little by little, the schedule completely went away, obviously.
—Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 18 Sep. 2025
You may be tempted to go straight in with loads of product, but for the best lash look, Gray recommends starting little by little.
—Ariana Yaptangco, Glamour, 10 Sep. 2025
But the scrappy Padres battled back – little by little.
—Dan Freedman, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for little by little
Recent Examples of Synonyms for little by little
gradually
Adverb
-
The low pressure area forecasters are tracking was located a little more than 1,000 miles east of the Windward Islands, the hurricane center said in the advisory, with showers and thunderstorms gradually becoming better organized.—
Gabe Hauari,
USA Today,
7 Oct. 2025
-
Polselli brings a painterly gaze to scenes of quiet dread, such as a figure gradually appearing out of thick brush as two women make their way home through dark woods.—
Declan Gallagher,
Entertainment Weekly,
7 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Little by little.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/little%20by%20little. Accessed 14 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share