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

In the Hopkins study, pulse oximeters gradually shifted from overestimates to underestimates over the course of the five years when compared to arterial blood gas tests. — Anil Oza, STAT, 6 Oct. 2026

Prescribing autonomy expands gradually The program was developed with Utah’s Office of Artificial Intelligence Policy under the state’s regulatory framework for testing new AI applications. — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 5 Oct. 2026

If technical capability continues to advance faster than governance, knowledge and human judgment, then control may be lost gradually through thousands of decisions delegated to systems people can no longer independently evaluate. — Babajide Ojuola, Forbes.com, 5 Oct. 2026

Kingsolver makes this a more complicated notion by gradually revealing Livia’s secrets as well as her mother’s, and the two characters’ interactions exist in a realm beyond a simple critique driven by rural sexism or small-mindedness. — Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2026

Whitening mouthwashes with hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide can lift surface stains gradually, though prolonged use may lead to tooth sensitivity. — Hanna Wickes, Sacbee.com, 5 Oct. 2026

The size of that cohort in the United States, by contrast, is projected to rise far more gradually, from around 19 percent of the population today to just over 23 percent in 2060. — Carl Minzner, Foreign Affairs, 5 Oct. 2026

Addressing aging windows as a coordinated project can provide a fresh, consistent look while resolving problems that may have developed gradually over time. — Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 5 Oct. 2026

Far more effective are group activities or hangouts where people get to know one another gradually. — Melissa Kirsch, New York Times, 3 Oct. 2026