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
When the ale is nearing a boil, put it in another pitcher, pour it very gradually into the pitcher containing the egg mix, while stirring briskly to prevent the eggs from curdling.
—
Jay R. Brooks, Mercury News, 30 Mar. 2026
Skies will be overcast for much of the day before gradually clearing in the evening, with a low of 63 degrees and winds around 10 mph.
—Elissa Jorgensen, Dallas Morning News, 30 Mar. 2026
Oceanside legalized medical marijuana in 2018 and since then has gradually expanded its licensing program.
—Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Mar. 2026
At the same time, however, JPMorgan has gradually raised its annual fee from $450 to $795, while reducing the redemption value of certain rewards points.
—Jeff John Roberts, Fortune, 30 Mar. 2026
My new book is based on 60 years of observation and research, at first from afar (rather like a trainspotter or stamp collector) but gradually closer to the centre and more focused.
—Jack Royston, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2026
Snow is forecast to hit elevations around 6,000 feet on Tuesday, gradually dropping to about 5,500 feet by Wednesday.
—Hector Amezcua, Sacbee.com, 30 Mar. 2026
The Huskies gradually cut into their deficit in the second half, though, and a 3 by Karaban pulled them within one with under a minute left.
—Noah Trister, Baltimore Sun, 29 Mar. 2026
The Big Dipper is climbing higher and higher in the northeastern sky this month and is gradually turning upside down.
—Mike Lynch, Twin Cities, 29 Mar. 2026
Jay R. Brooks, Mercury News, 30 Mar. 2026
Skies will be overcast for much of the day before gradually clearing in the evening, with a low of 63 degrees and winds around 10 mph.
—Elissa Jorgensen, Dallas Morning News, 30 Mar. 2026
Oceanside legalized medical marijuana in 2018 and since then has gradually expanded its licensing program.
—Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Mar. 2026
At the same time, however, JPMorgan has gradually raised its annual fee from $450 to $795, while reducing the redemption value of certain rewards points.
—Jeff John Roberts, Fortune, 30 Mar. 2026
My new book is based on 60 years of observation and research, at first from afar (rather like a trainspotter or stamp collector) but gradually closer to the centre and more focused.
—Jack Royston, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2026
Snow is forecast to hit elevations around 6,000 feet on Tuesday, gradually dropping to about 5,500 feet by Wednesday.
—Hector Amezcua, Sacbee.com, 30 Mar. 2026
The Huskies gradually cut into their deficit in the second half, though, and a 3 by Karaban pulled them within one with under a minute left.
—Noah Trister, Baltimore Sun, 29 Mar. 2026
The Big Dipper is climbing higher and higher in the northeastern sky this month and is gradually turning upside down.
—Mike Lynch, Twin Cities, 29 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gradually
Adverb
-
In that interaction, forehead-to-forehead with Ayers and then slowly backing away, back to his bench, Hurley never blinked.—
Joe Arruda,
Hartford Courant,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Drivers were encouraged to drive slowly and carefully on wet roads, according to the weather service.—
Helen Rummel,
AZCentral.com,
31 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
After the decision, the physicians removed and reattached the respirator, taking it away for progressively longer periods of time.—
Robert S. Olick,
The Conversation,
23 Mar. 2026
-
The region around the kink is always soft, while stiffness increases progressively away from it.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
22 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Gradually.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gradually. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
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