1
as in gradual
proceeding or changing by steps or degrees the incremental evolution of the collection from a specialized gallery into a comprehensive art museum

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2
as in cumulative
produced by a series of additions of identical or similar things the incremental total for my collection of baseball cards

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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 incremental On one hand, incremental AI rollouts have prolonged the iPhone upgrade cycle. Zev Fima, CNBC, 24 June 2025 The process was deliberately incremental; with only one continuous take, actors received just two or three essential notes per round, allowing performances to evolve through subtle adjustments. Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 23 June 2025 But like virtually all upbeat trends in housing, the change seems incremental at best. Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 June 2025 The city prefers incremental annual adjustments, his presentation showed, so that larger one-time adjustments can be avoided. R. Christian Smith, Chicago Tribune, 16 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for incremental
Recent Examples of Synonyms for incremental
Adjective
  • While the first two brackets seemed to have an overwhelmingly positive reaction, aside from a few disgruntled fans upset that their favorite queens weren’t moving on to the next round, the third bracket shifted from genuine excitement to what could be seen as gradual fatigue.
    Braedon Montgomery, Forbes.com, 28 June 2025
  • Though the pandemic devastated many of the area’s independent businesses, Jordan saw opportunity in the district’s gradual revival.
    Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 26 June 2025
Adjective
  • Whitson holds the record for cumulative days spend in space by an American.
    Josh Dinner, Space.com, 25 June 2025
  • The researchers also identified Los Angeles neighborhoods that were most vulnerable to climate risks via both state and federal indexes — enabling them to better assess the cumulative factors of heat, smoke and socioeconomic conditions.
    Sharon Udasin, The Hill, 23 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Incremental.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/incremental. Accessed 11 Jul. 2025.

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