: 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
Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 7 Jan. 2026
When to consider debt relief for an overdrawn account
For many people, an overdrawn bank account is just a symptom of deeper financial instability, and addressing all your debts together can be more effective than tackling them piecemeal.
—Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 18 Dec. 2025
Alan Bradley, Space.com, 5 Jan. 2026
Republicans say that's necessary to avoid piecemeal legislation that could restrict access to guns in certain Indiana cities and counties.
—Jordan Smith, IndyStar, 29 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for piecemeal
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Adverb
Whatever extra cash drivers throw into the congestion pricing till — in fact, all toll revenue — must go through a new state financial counting house and be given back piecemeal to the MTA when expenses are fully reviewed for reasonable cost.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 7 Jan. 2026
When to consider debt relief for an overdrawn account
For many people, an overdrawn bank account is just a symptom of deeper financial instability, and addressing all your debts together can be more effective than tackling them piecemeal.
—Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 18 Dec. 2025
Adjective
Starship Simulator promises to bring the immersive elements that other titles have provided piecemeal all altogether in one massive gestalt simulation that, if successful, could steal hundreds of hours of your (and your friends') time.
—Alan Bradley, Space.com, 5 Jan. 2026
Republicans say that's necessary to avoid piecemeal legislation that could restrict access to guns in certain Indiana cities and counties.
—Jordan Smith, IndyStar, 29 Dec. 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 17 Jan. 2026.
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