: done, made, or accomplished piece by piece or in a fragmentary way
piecemeal reforms in the system
Examples of piecemeal in a Sentence
Adverb
remodeled their house piecemeal because of budgetary constraints
one well-aimed blow ripped the piñata piecemeal
Adjective
They've done piecemeal repairs in the past, but the bridge now needs major reconstruction.
Some people want the changes to be made all at once, but I think we should take a more piecemeal approach.
Recent Examples on the Web
The Know, Denver Post, 10 Aug. 2025
But his approach to arming Ukraine was criticized as piecemeal, as the Biden administration took pains to avoid escalation, opposing Kyiv's use of American equipment against military targets within Russia.
—Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 July 2025
Joe McKendrick, Forbes.com, 14 Aug. 2025
Experts said that if Duffy’s rule becomes final, consumers’ safety in areas where drones become a routine part of delivery would be protected because the FAA will require a more uniform approach to regulating drones, rather than a piecemeal approach that incorporates some uncertainty.
—Meghan Hall, Sourcing Journal, 14 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for piecemeal
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Adverb
The story of four teenagers, best friends for a special summer, unwinds piecemeal through their recollections 25 years later.
—The Know, Denver Post, 10 Aug. 2025
But his approach to arming Ukraine was criticized as piecemeal, as the Biden administration took pains to avoid escalation, opposing Kyiv's use of American equipment against military targets within Russia.
—Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 July 2025
Adjective
Eighty-three percent deliver responsible AI in a piecemeal manner.
—Joe McKendrick, Forbes.com, 14 Aug. 2025
Experts said that if Duffy’s rule becomes final, consumers’ safety in areas where drones become a routine part of delivery would be protected because the FAA will require a more uniform approach to regulating drones, rather than a piecemeal approach that incorporates some uncertainty.
—Meghan Hall, Sourcing Journal, 14 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for piecemeal
Cite this Entry
“Piecemeal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/piecemeal. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.
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