by degrees
idiom
: very slowly : by a series of small changes
The tomatoes changed by degrees from green to red.
Examples of by degrees in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Keegan shows us a man turning toward his higher self, at first by degrees and then in a sudden rush.
—
Pamela Newton, The Atlantic, 7 July 2024
Surreal moments The ancillary stuff all disappears by degrees now.
—Greg Cote, Miami Herald, 1 July 2024
Even after the Nazis invade Poland, halfway through the opening episode, things advance by degrees, so that the next worst thing can’t quite be imagined, and once imagined really believed.
—Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 28 Mar. 2024
Through these changes, the child learned to walk and to speak; by degrees, the child grew and aged and, eventually, died.
—Merve Emre, The New Yorker, 29 Jan. 2024
See all Example Sentences for by degrees 
Pamela Newton, The Atlantic, 7 July 2024
Surreal moments The ancillary stuff all disappears by degrees now.
—Greg Cote, Miami Herald, 1 July 2024
Even after the Nazis invade Poland, halfway through the opening episode, things advance by degrees, so that the next worst thing can’t quite be imagined, and once imagined really believed.
—Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 28 Mar. 2024
Through these changes, the child learned to walk and to speak; by degrees, the child grew and aged and, eventually, died.
—Merve Emre, The New Yorker, 29 Jan. 2024
See all Example Sentences for by degrees
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'by degrees.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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“By degrees.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/by%20degrees. Accessed 27 Jul. 2024.
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