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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of gradual
More often, there’s a gradual breakdown.
—
Steve Swinney,
Forbes.com,
26 June 2026
Others have been unpopular among some aldermen, including resuming gradual hikes in the city’s property tax levy to match the rate of inflation, or similarly raising Chicago’s other fines and fees to match its peer cities.
—
A.d. Quig,
Chicago Tribune,
25 June 2026
To understand why men might have adopted a clothing system that prioritized plainness and conformity over color and change, this book investigates the gradual crystallization of this civic uniform of masculinity.
—
Literary Hub,
25 June 2026
When turns must be made in the lawn, make wide, gradual turns to limit wear.
—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
25 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for gradual
Steve Swinney,
Forbes.com,
26 June 2026
Others have been unpopular among some aldermen, including resuming gradual hikes in the city’s property tax levy to match the rate of inflation, or similarly raising Chicago’s other fines and fees to match its peer cities.
—
A.d. Quig,
Chicago Tribune,
25 June 2026
To understand why men might have adopted a clothing system that prioritized plainness and conformity over color and change, this book investigates the gradual crystallization of this civic uniform of masculinity.
—
Literary Hub,
25 June 2026
When turns must be made in the lawn, make wide, gradual turns to limit wear.
—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
25 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for gradual
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gradual
Adjective
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The fact that incremental capital expenditures to integrate their robots is minimal is also attractive.
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Any work the two companies do together might be incremental to start off with, according to analysts.
Adjective
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The deal envisions Lebanese army control over phased Israeli pullback zones and tighter limits on foreign funding for armed groups.
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In exchange, Iran received phased relief from international economic sanctions.
Cite this Entry
“Gradual.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gradual. Accessed 2 Jul. 2026.
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