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
Once the countdown ends, users are shown detailed, text-heavy outlooks — including conditions, storm chances, wind speeds and temperatures — presented in bold gradient panels and block-style fonts.
—
Brandi D. Addison, USA Today, 3 Apr. 2026
In the Arctic, temperature gradients and thermal convection are the dominant drivers of atmospheric turbulence.
—Tejasri Gururaj, Interesting Engineering, 30 Mar. 2026
The Red Rock Gladiator features 37-inch tires, a custom gradient paint job and 360-degree lighting, so the trail workers could, hypothetically, get work done at any time of day.
—Liam Rappleye, Freep.com, 26 Mar. 2026
The diffused color gradients will bring life to more drab office setups, and be a nice nod to the marble book ends sitting on the neighboring bookshelf.
—Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 23 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for gradient
Brandi D. Addison, USA Today, 3 Apr. 2026
In the Arctic, temperature gradients and thermal convection are the dominant drivers of atmospheric turbulence.
—Tejasri Gururaj, Interesting Engineering, 30 Mar. 2026
The Red Rock Gladiator features 37-inch tires, a custom gradient paint job and 360-degree lighting, so the trail workers could, hypothetically, get work done at any time of day.
—Liam Rappleye, Freep.com, 26 Mar. 2026
The diffused color gradients will bring life to more drab office setups, and be a nice nod to the marble book ends sitting on the neighboring bookshelf.
—Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 23 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for gradient
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gradient
Noun
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Thirteen of the group were hit by an avalanche that swept down a slope on Perry’s Peak, northwest of Frog Lake.—
Ethan Baron,
Mercury News,
4 Apr. 2026
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Fog rolls in off the sea, rain clouds form against the steep volcanic slopes and squalls appear without warning.—
NPR,
NPR,
4 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Even in the present tense, the characters express no political opinions, taste in movies and music, hobbies—or backstories that shape such inclinations.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
7 Apr. 2026
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Mamdani has thus far shown no inclination to act differently.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
7 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The seven-mile Torreya Challenge Loop steadily climbs and dips, meandering over creeks, an old forest road, and blackberry brambles, following a ridge where mountain laurels bloom in the spring, and visitors can find the steepest incline in the park.—
Carrie Honaker,
Travel + Leisure,
3 Apr. 2026
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Camp Jeep is another main attraction, which allows riders to experience a thrilling 28-foot incline and other obstacles in a Jeep driven by a professional driver.—
Charles Singh,
USA Today,
31 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Gradient.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gradient. Accessed 11 Apr. 2026.
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