piecemeal

1 of 2

adverb

piece·​meal ˈpēs-ˌmēl 

-ˈmēl

1

: one piece at a time : gradually

2

: in pieces or fragments : apart

piecemeal

2 of 2

adjective

: done, made, or accomplished piece by piece or in a fragmentary way

piecemeal reforms in the system

Synonyms

Adverb

• gradationally
• gradually
• inchmeal
• little by little
• piece by piece

Adjective

• gradational
• gradual
• incremental
• phased
• step-by-step

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

Adverb

Apple regularly doles out its new features piecemeal, in point updates, across its operating systems. —Wes Davis, The Verge, 7 July 2024

Despite its power as a tool to mislead, efforts to regulate it have been piecemeal or delayed, a gap that could have the greatest impact on lower-profile races down the ballot. —Alena Botros, Fortune, 17 June 2024

Adjective

The piecemeal approach on this issue limits the trucking industry’s ability to best serve the needs of the city and restricts efficiency throughout the logistics and transportation sectors. —Zach Miller, New York Daily News, 13 July 2024

Instead, there will likely be piecemeal reforms, with the left-wing coalition relying on alliances with other parties to push legislation through. —Ellen Ioanes, Vox, 8 July 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Adverb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1593, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

piecemeal

1 of 2 adverb

piece·​meal ˈpē-ˌsmēl 

1

: one piece at a time : gradually

2

: in pieces : apart

piecemeal

2 of 2 adjective

: done, made, or accomplished piece by piece or in an incomplete way

piecemeal reforms