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 background star gradually brightens and then fades as the two stars move out of alignment. — Thomas Fauchez, The Conversation, 14 Sep. 2026

Hard water runs through a huge number of homes, and its effects on hair can creep in gradually. — Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 14 Sep. 2026

The transition also happens gradually, beginning in northern states before moving south. — Sacbee.com, 14 Sep. 2026

SkyShowtime was launched in late 2022 and gradually rolled out across more than 20 European territories, combining content from Peacock, Paramount+ and Sky. — Alex Ritman, Variety, 14 Sep. 2026

So many do so, in fact, that the Galleria’s tesserae are gradually but constantly ground away. — Luke Leitch, Vogue, 14 Sep. 2026

Periods of rain and a few thunderstorms are likely during the morning, but the system should gradually pull offshore during the day. — Bill Kelly, CBS News, 12 Sep. 2026

After going behind early to a Kai Havertz goal, PSG had to remain patient, before gradually asserting their authority in the contest. — Tom Burrows, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026

The power of these shows didn’t come from constant intensity but from duration, repetition, and consequences that compounded across seasons, allowing meaning to emerge gradually through accumulation. — Henry Metz, Rolling Stone, 11 Sep. 2026