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

With the state’s approval, the Olathe City Council now has 60 days to conduct a public hearing, vote and adopt an ordinance that would pledge all new incremental general sales tax generated within the STAR bond area to the project, a city spokesperson told The Star via email. —Taylor O'Connor, Kansas City Star, 23 Dec. 2025

The solstice signifies the start of winter and also heralds the incremental lengthening of days, symbolizing hope and renewal in many cultures. —Tiffany Acosta, AZCentral.com, 19 Dec. 2025

Ukraine says Russian gains are incremental and have come at the cost of huge casualties. —Guy Faulconbridge, USA Today, 19 Dec. 2025

Even the most superb body begins to diminish in a person’s early 30s, thanks to the onset of sarcopenia, which sounds like a canker but means the incremental decline of muscle mass. —Sally Jenkins, The Atlantic, 18 Dec. 2025

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