as in slope
the degree to which something rises up from a position level with the horizon
the path goes up at a pretty steep gradient before leveling off
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of gradient
On day one, she was seen in a matching green snakeskin set and later in a Carolina blue gradient asymmetrical dress, the latter seemingly a nod to boyfriend Belichick, who now coaches the UNC football team.
—
Zoey Lyttle, People.com, 12 May 2025
The icon was changed from having four solid color blocks in the letter to a gradient between the letters.
—James Powel, USA Today, 12 May 2025
These strips—delicate paper things with fuchsia gradients—were designed to detect a surge in luteinizing hormone (LH) in the urine, the spike that precedes ovulation.
—Anonymous, Vogue, 10 May 2025
Its background, a pale yellow gradient, still gives me a slight frisson, like a Playboy issue hidden under the bed.
—Kyle Chayka, New Yorker, 30 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for gradient
Zoey Lyttle, People.com, 12 May 2025
The icon was changed from having four solid color blocks in the letter to a gradient between the letters.
—James Powel, USA Today, 12 May 2025
These strips—delicate paper things with fuchsia gradients—were designed to detect a surge in luteinizing hormone (LH) in the urine, the spike that precedes ovulation.
—Anonymous, Vogue, 10 May 2025
Its background, a pale yellow gradient, still gives me a slight frisson, like a Playboy issue hidden under the bed.
—Kyle Chayka, New Yorker, 30 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for gradient
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gradient
Noun
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Fortunately, the view from the top still hits me like a surprise every time: the hills of Mexico to the south, the coastline to the west, the miles of undeveloped slopes and valleys to the north.—
Christopher Reynolds,
Los Angeles Times,
21 May 2025
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According to new research published Monday in the journal Nature Communications, these slopes are dry, likely due to layers of fine dust suddenly sliding off steep terrain.—
Eric Berger,
ArsTechnica,
20 May 2025
Noun
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Additionally, the Bank of Japan’s inclination to tighten its monetary policy, which collides with the Asian nation’s fiscal woes, also have a hand in fueling the bond sell-off, said Varathan.—
Lee Ying Shan,
CNBC,
22 May 2025
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But state officials have shown no inclination toward making alterations. California earlier this month joined a multi-state lawsuit challenging the Federal Highway Administration and the Trump administration from withholding billions of dollars to expand electric vehicle infrastructure.—
Rob Nikolewski,
Mercury News,
21 May 2025
Noun
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The half-mile trail has some uneven terrain and is on a gradual incline.—
Stacey Zable,
USA Today,
28 May 2025
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The incline is so steep there are times when hikers slip-slide on all fours, grabbing onto shrub roots for purchase as tiny lizards dart under their hands.—
David Allan,
CNN Money,
17 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Gradient.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gradient. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
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