as in incremental
proceeding or changing by steps or degrees
a gradual drop in gas prices will take place over the next several months
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Recent Examples of gradual
But gradual erosion and acute crisis scenarios deserve more weight than consensus assigns them.
—
Güney Yıldız, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026
While a gradual warming trend begins on Monday, below average temperatures will last through at least mid-week, Rizzuto said.
—Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 30 Jan. 2026
Animal care staff will oversee a gradual introduction process, with the bears initially separated within the expansive four-acre habitat.
—Duante Beddingfield, Freep.com, 30 Jan. 2026
Next week, the metro will experience gradual moderation with highs climbing back into the teens and 20s.
—Joseph Dames, CBS News, 29 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for gradual
Güney Yıldız, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026
While a gradual warming trend begins on Monday, below average temperatures will last through at least mid-week, Rizzuto said.
—Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 30 Jan. 2026
Animal care staff will oversee a gradual introduction process, with the bears initially separated within the expansive four-acre habitat.
—Duante Beddingfield, Freep.com, 30 Jan. 2026
Next week, the metro will experience gradual moderation with highs climbing back into the teens and 20s.
—Joseph Dames, CBS News, 29 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for gradual
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gradual
Adjective
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Blume walked back an earlier target of reaching a 10% market share in the world's second biggest auto market, with the group now planning to advance in incremental steps.—
William Wilkes Bloomberg,
Arkansas Online,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Apple positions the update as an incremental improvement rather than a redesign.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
26 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Northwood, based in southern California, makes phased array antennas, mobile ground infrastructure that increases satellites’ connectivity to Earth.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
28 Jan. 2026
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After several years of phased construction and testing, the project has entered its final pre-launch stage, with officials confirming that passenger services will begin rolling out later this year.—
Keith J Fernandez,
Condé Nast Traveler,
27 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Gradual.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gradual. Accessed 6 Feb. 2026.
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