cumulative

adjective

ˈkyü-myə-lə-tiv How to pronounce cumulative (audio)
Definition of cumulativenext
as in accumulative
produced by a series of additions of identical or similar things a cumulative weight gain of 20 pounds over the course of a year

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of cumulative One of the more striking findings comes in the cumulative payload to orbit by nation. — Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 14 Aug. 2026 That's pushing the government's cumulative debt close to $40 trillion. — Scott Horsley, NPR, 14 Aug. 2026 Etzel also addressed the debate over vaccines and autism, noting that critics of vaccines have often focused on the cumulative exposure children receive from multiple vaccines, rather than the safety of individual vaccines. — Adisa Hargett-Robinson, The Washington Examiner, 12 Aug. 2026 The order Johnson signed on Tuesday tightens air pollution control permit reviews, sets new noise rules, and requires a cross-departmental review of data center impacts on energy, water, and cumulative environmental and community effects. — Mikayla Price, CBS News, 11 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for cumulative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cumulative
  1. accumulative
  2. additive
  3. incremental
  4. gradual
Adjective
  • The choice of Miami Beach as the festival’s long-term home is less accidental than accumulative.
    — Desjah Altvater, Forbes.com, 18 June 2026
  • According to a new paper, published in the Journal of Geophysical Research, accumulative stresses in the Earth’s crust in California are higher today than at any point over the last 1,000 years, raising concerns over the potential for a massive rupture in the Los Angeles region.
    — Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 10 June 2026
Definition of accumulative
Adjective
  • Started to see a few more additive things with body language or going out on his own.
    — Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Yuka, the French app that scores food and cosmetics on additive content, has never taken brand advertising and funds itself entirely through optional subscriptions priced between $10 and $20 a year.
    — Josipa Majic Predin, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of additive
Adjective
  • In an organization where virtually every meaningful decision requires the agreement of 193 member states, even incremental reforms represent unusually difficult victories.
    — Bethany Mandel, The Washington Examiner, 16 Aug. 2026
  • This incremental expansion would continue until 2032, when cars manufactured before 1986 would become exempt.
    — Sofia Williams, Sacbee.com, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of incremental
Adjective
  • One model can respond better to sudden changes, while another can capture slower, gradual shifts.
    — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 16 Aug. 2026
  • In a nation that granted women the vote only in 1984, the move illustrates gradual change in Europe’s most powerful monarchy, whose government is now led by its first female prime minister.
    — Geir Moulson, Los Angeles Times, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of gradual

Browse Nearby Words

cumulations
cumulative
cumulativeness
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Cite this Entry

“Cumulative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cumulative. Accessed 22 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of cumulative for Spanish Speakers

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