incremental

adjective

in·​cre·​men·​tal ˌiŋ-krə-ˈmen-tᵊl 

ˌin-

: of, relating to, being, or occurring in especially small increments

incremental additions

incremental change

incrementally

ˌiŋ-krə-ˈmen-tᵊl-ē 

ˌin-

adverb

Synonyms of incremental

• gradual

Examples of incremental in a Sentence

the incremental evolution of the collection from a specialized gallery into a comprehensive art museum

the incremental total for my collection of baseball cards

Recent Examples on the Web

In 2025, Vietnam, Malaysia, Cambodia, Indonesia and the Philippines combined to move an incremental 200,000 container units. —Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 18 Feb. 2026

Research that analyzed more than 122,000 adults over eight years found that each incremental increase between the lowest and highest VO₂ max was associated with longer survival. —Matt Fuchs, Scientific American, 18 Feb. 2026

Instead of installing another huge franchise shift, the host appeared rather to be looking at more incremental changes. —Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 17 Feb. 2026

Progress is incremental and ongoing. —Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 17 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1696, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing incremental

• incremental repetition

Rhymes for incremental

• accidental
• compartmental
• continental
• detrimental
• elemental
• fundamental
• governmental
• incidental
• instrumental
• interdental
• monumental
• nonjudgmental