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

Those demonstrations suggest incremental competence in manipulation and perception, rather than the extreme agility emphasized by Atlas. —Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 7 Nov. 2025

This year’s results broke from incremental trends and swung decisively in the other direction. —Charlotte Observer, 7 Nov. 2025

Following a broken engagement with the Puerto Rican singer-songwriter Rauw Alejandro in 2023, Rosalía compares her incremental loss of innocence to a crumbling religious figurine losing hands, eyes, and more to time and travel. —Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 7 Nov. 2025

The North Building redevelopment includes $30 million in city tax incremental financing under a plan approved in 2023 by the Common Council and Mayor Cavalier Johnson. —Tom Daykin, jsonline.com, 6 Nov. 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