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
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Recent Examples of gradually
The Ohio Valley is expected to start the holiday weekend off with chilly temperatures, before gradually getting warmer toward Thanksgiving.
—
Kaycee Sloan, Cincinnati Enquirer, 21 Oct. 2025
Allow dogs to explore decorations gradually.
—Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Oct. 2025
His unspoken agenda gradually emerges.
—Jim Higgins, jsonline.com, 20 Oct. 2025
But encounters with the island’s residents, including with his gruff but warm-hearted landlady (played by German screen legend Hanna Schygulla), gradually alter his outlook.
—Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 20 Oct. 2025
Experts suggest shorter sessions for beginners, while more experienced users can gradually extend sessions—sometimes up to 90 minutes.
—Brigitt Earley, Glamour, 20 Oct. 2025
The role is particularly noteworthy considering Dane announced earlier this year that he was diagnosed with ALS, a neurodegenerative disease that gradually paralyzes the body by destroying the nerve cells that control muscle movement.
—Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 20 Oct. 2025
The town gradually raised the money not just to reconstruct it but to enlarge and improve it, adding new facilities for disabled children.
—Robert F. Worth, The Atlantic, 19 Oct. 2025
With mixer on medium-low speed, gradually add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition.
—Ann Taylor Pittman, Southern Living, 18 Oct. 2025
Kaycee Sloan, Cincinnati Enquirer, 21 Oct. 2025
Allow dogs to explore decorations gradually.
—Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Oct. 2025
His unspoken agenda gradually emerges.
—Jim Higgins, jsonline.com, 20 Oct. 2025
But encounters with the island’s residents, including with his gruff but warm-hearted landlady (played by German screen legend Hanna Schygulla), gradually alter his outlook.
—Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 20 Oct. 2025
Experts suggest shorter sessions for beginners, while more experienced users can gradually extend sessions—sometimes up to 90 minutes.
—Brigitt Earley, Glamour, 20 Oct. 2025
The role is particularly noteworthy considering Dane announced earlier this year that he was diagnosed with ALS, a neurodegenerative disease that gradually paralyzes the body by destroying the nerve cells that control muscle movement.
—Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 20 Oct. 2025
The town gradually raised the money not just to reconstruct it but to enlarge and improve it, adding new facilities for disabled children.
—Robert F. Worth, The Atlantic, 19 Oct. 2025
With mixer on medium-low speed, gradually add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition.
—Ann Taylor Pittman, Southern Living, 18 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gradually
Adverb
-
The new calf will remain with his mother for bonding time before being slowly introduced to other herd members.—
Gabrielle Rockson,
PEOPLE,
24 Oct. 2025
-
The Browns drafted Sanders in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL draft, and he's slowly climbed up the depth chart to become the backup to rookie Dillon Gabriel.—
Anne Erickson,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Oct. 2025
Adverb
-
Plutonium is also the principal fuel in a fast neutron reactor, and in any reactor, it is progressively bred from non-fissile U-238 that comprises over 99 percent of natural uranium.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
23 Oct. 2025
-
Cheung said Nicholson’s mental health struggles began in 2012, progressively worsening over the years and culminating into multiple hospital stays, City News Service reported.—
Daniella Segura,
Sacbee.com,
23 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Gradually.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gradually. Accessed 27 Oct. 2025.
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