GRADUALLY Synonyms: 22 Similar and Opposite Words

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

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of gradually Jeff Currie expects supply pressures in the oil market could gradually spread from Asia to Europe and the United States. —

CNBC, 26 May 2026 Among the many techniques out there, feed-in braids stand out for their seamless, natural-looking finish, achieved by gradually incorporating braiding hair into your own strands. —

Larry Stansbury, InStyle, 25 May 2026 So the apparent meeting is the result of Venus rising higher in the evening sky while Jupiter gradually slips toward the horizon. —

Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 25 May 2026 Breaking a cult of personality As more people leave, MAGA is gradually disintegrating. —

Elizabeth Yuko, Rolling Stone, 25 May 2026 To maximize its benefits and not risk irritation, start by using the product only twice a week, gradually increasing the frequency by combining it with a moisturising and soothing cream. —

Beatrice Zocchi, Vogue, 25 May 2026 Then again, Zou hints at hope throughout her gradually but effortlessly paced narrative, lingering on fleeting moments of beauty in nature and in art. —

Tomris Laffly, Variety, 25 May 2026 Nevertheless, City have gradually moved back towards the Guardiola way of doing things as the season has gone on, departing from the open, counter-attacking manner of the opening months and back towards control. —

Sam Lee, New York Times, 25 May 2026 In the Northeast, warmer and drier conditions will gradually sweep from west to east across the region throughout the day. —

ABC News, 24 May 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for gradually

Adverb

But a new report by AARP and the consulting firm ATI Advisory concludes that while the number of providers taking advantage of the new billing opportunities is slowly growing, overall participation remains vanishingly small.

— Howard Gleckman, Forbes.com, 26 May 2026
This means that water is moving through the river very slowly, so fish can be exposed to pollutants or other things in the water for an extended period of time.

— Irene Wright, USA Today, 26 May 2026