as in slopes
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 gradients
Funiculars are often found in hilly cities, mountain resorts, or tourist areas where traditional trains or buses would struggle with steep gradients.
—
Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Sep. 2025
The project faces geometric constraints as its gradients have to be much less steep than highways, Lou Thompson, former rail authority peer review group chair, said.
—Tina Li, Sacbee.com, 14 Aug. 2025
Even a relatively flat yard will have some micro-gradients, and water will always try to follow the path of least resistance.
—Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Aug. 2025
For instance, in situ fluorometric measurements of different coral species over depth gradients will provide information on low-light adaptation and production potential of mesophotic coral specimens.
—Evan Ackerman, IEEE Spectrum, 28 Apr. 2016
Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Sep. 2025
The project faces geometric constraints as its gradients have to be much less steep than highways, Lou Thompson, former rail authority peer review group chair, said.
—Tina Li, Sacbee.com, 14 Aug. 2025
Even a relatively flat yard will have some micro-gradients, and water will always try to follow the path of least resistance.
—Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Aug. 2025
For instance, in situ fluorometric measurements of different coral species over depth gradients will provide information on low-light adaptation and production potential of mesophotic coral specimens.
—Evan Ackerman, IEEE Spectrum, 28 Apr. 2016
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gradients
Noun
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The slopes have been planted with pineapples, but nature is also providing the ingredients for her next meal — wild ginger, edible ferns, turmeric, and pandan.—
Christopher Elliott,
Forbes.com,
6 Sep. 2025
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Best Shopping Even off the slopes, Zermatt knows how to do luxury.—
Alexandra Emanuelli,
Travel + Leisure,
6 Sep. 2025
Noun
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They are most commonly used to transport people and cargo up steep inclines.—
Catherine Nicholls,
CNN Money,
4 Sep. 2025
Noun
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While the corrupt scheme was well documented journalistically and much of the evidence is indicative, ultimately Argentina's Judiciary followed its political inclinations all the way to the top.—
Agustino Fontevecchia,
Forbes.com,
27 Aug. 2025
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The artist’s ability to straddle the line between tomboy inclinations and ultra-glam moments is what has always attracted me to her style.—
Robyn Mowatt,
Essence,
20 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Gradients.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gradients. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
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