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

So far, this reads like just another incremental advance in the usual process of medical research. —Literary Hub, 11 June 2026

Related Stories That distinction – incremental disruption versus structural transformation – is the animating tension of the APOS agenda. —Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 9 June 2026

He cannot be held indefinitely, but lawyers can make incremental motions to keep him in the facility until he is restored. —Charlotte Observer, 9 June 2026

Even if a possible outbreak pushes up prices, the changes would be incremental rather than a sudden jump like the price of eggs during the bird flu outbreak. —Ramishah Maruf, CNN Money, 9 June 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