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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Recent Examples of gradient
Even when the narrow road snaked over the steepest gradients in the final stretch his confidence never faltered.
—
Nathaniel Parish Flannery, Forbes.com, 5 May 2025
Not one to miss out on a matching nail look, Erivo modeled a gradient red manicure, which picked up the red touches on her jacket.
—Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 6 June 2025
That points to meteorology also being a factor: Certain times of year could potentially have more impact than others as weather conditions shift, with wind shears, temperature gradients, and topography, for instance, potentially affecting the propagation of sonic booms.
—ArsTechnica, 27 May 2025
The metallic hot-pink gradient of Parívie’s packaging, a stark contrast to ProD.N.A.’s simple matte black, certainly achieves that goal.
—Nicola Dall'asen, Allure, 7 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for gradient
Nathaniel Parish Flannery, Forbes.com, 5 May 2025
Not one to miss out on a matching nail look, Erivo modeled a gradient red manicure, which picked up the red touches on her jacket.
—Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 6 June 2025
That points to meteorology also being a factor: Certain times of year could potentially have more impact than others as weather conditions shift, with wind shears, temperature gradients, and topography, for instance, potentially affecting the propagation of sonic booms.
—ArsTechnica, 27 May 2025
The metallic hot-pink gradient of Parívie’s packaging, a stark contrast to ProD.N.A.’s simple matte black, certainly achieves that goal.
—Nicola Dall'asen, Allure, 7 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for gradient
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gradient
Noun
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The plan also involves adding California Highway Patrol observation areas, vehicle pull-out areas, a traffic signal at Noble Road, as well as slope protection and drainage improvements, and improvements to the tidal salt marsh and public access.—
Adrian Rodriguez,
Mercury News,
18 June 2025
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The journey’s two remote campsites are reached by traversing spectacular terrain on foot across glaciers, up icy slopes, and through glittering blue ice caves.—
Chloe Berge,
Outside Online,
17 June 2025
Noun
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And, swear to God, my inclination to be a doctor was that.—
Kimberly Dishongh,
Arkansas Online,
22 June 2025
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And Just Like That is out of a inclination to see Carrie continue to live her messy and fabulous life as a pretty egregiously out-of-touch Manhattan socialite.—
Megan McCluskey,
Time,
20 June 2025
Noun
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Ramping up the incline on a treadmill or taking a trail riddled with hills can certainly get your heart pumping…or turn a casual stroll into a banger of a leg workout.—
Erica Sloan,
SELF,
20 June 2025
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There are multiple grab handles (the 20 percent incline gets real very fast), and the lower ones have heart rate sensors.—
Kristin Canning,
Wired News,
8 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Gradient.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gradient. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.
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