Synonyms of gradually

gradually

adverb

as in slowly

by small steps or amounts

gradually worked his way down the class roster

add the sugar to the beaten egg whites gradually to make the meringue

Synonyms & Similar Words

• slowly
• bit by bit
• progressively
• by degrees
• inch by inch
• little by little
• piece by piece
• increasingly
• piecemeal
• gradationally
• imperceptibly
• hierarchically
• inchmeal
• fractionally
• crescively

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• suddenly
• abruptly
• sharply
• steeply
• acutely
• hastily
• precipitously

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of gradually

The fee applies during the first 13 years of the agreement and gradually declines over the remaining initial term. — Sydney Sasser, Arkansas Online, 1 Sep. 2026

Some medications need to be tapered gradually, and there are serious risks of stopping them suddenly. — Danielle Zickl, HEALTH, 31 Aug. 2026

That strange hue will gradually fade in the hour following moonrise, as Earth's satellite arcs away from the skyline. — Anthony Wood, Space.com, 31 Aug. 2026

Fertility in women decreases gradually but significantly at age 32 and rapidly after 37, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. — Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2026

The exercises start with breath work and grounding before gradually moving into a full-body workout and finishing with a deep stretch and meditation. — Deborah Vankin, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026

Basically, this small insect appeared to preserve a transitional stage as its lineage gradually adapted from aquatic life to living on land. — New Atlas, 30 Aug. 2026

The restaurants shut down for months before gradually reopening, and Kfoury said TriSpan’s arrival helped give NAYA the financial backing to survive the disruption. — Tatiana Sataua, Fortune, 30 Aug. 2026

The immediate danger eased only when the barrier drained gradually rather than collapsing all at once. — Umesh Haritashya, The Conversation, 29 Aug. 2026