slowly but surely
idiom
: by making slow but definite progress
—used to stress that something is happening or being done even though it is not happening or being done quickly
We're getting the work done, slowly but surely.
Examples of slowly but surely in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The Orient Express fleet is slowly but surely coming to fruition.
—
Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 20 Nov. 2025
That data indicates sea levels are slowly but surely rising, widely interpreted as evidence of global warming caused in large part by human industrial activity.
—William Harwood, CBS News, 17 Nov. 2025
In the decade since its debut, that sneakily idiosyncratic show with oddball plots and winning performances by beloved characters has slowly but surely made its mark.
—Claire McNear, Rolling Stone, 8 Nov. 2025
Manning has slowly but surely started to find his rhythm after a sluggish start to the season.
—Cole Sullivan, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for slowly but surely
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 20 Nov. 2025
That data indicates sea levels are slowly but surely rising, widely interpreted as evidence of global warming caused in large part by human industrial activity.
—William Harwood, CBS News, 17 Nov. 2025
In the decade since its debut, that sneakily idiosyncratic show with oddball plots and winning performances by beloved characters has slowly but surely made its mark.
—Claire McNear, Rolling Stone, 8 Nov. 2025
Manning has slowly but surely started to find his rhythm after a sluggish start to the season.
—Cole Sullivan, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for slowly but surely
Cite this Entry
“Slowly but surely.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/slowly%20but%20surely. Accessed 30 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share