as in gradually
by small steps or amounts
little by little, we pieced together the jigsaw puzzle
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Recent Examples of little by little
How about an effort to regularly clean up and maintain the area, starting with the City Administration Building and the surrounding (nonexistent) landscaping, then fixing up more sections little by little?
—
U T Readers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Jan. 2026
But really, state by state, little by little, a lot of people are starting to say, this is the way millions of people are making money on their own terms and doing it in a way that really works for them.
—Fortune Editors, Fortune, 31 Dec. 2025
After the solstice, daylight increases little by little, giving us more sunshine and even more motivation to leave the house again.
—Tiffany Acosta, AZCentral.com, 19 Dec. 2025
That’s how things change, little by little.
—R. Eric Thomas, Denver Post, 7 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for little by little
U T Readers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Jan. 2026
But really, state by state, little by little, a lot of people are starting to say, this is the way millions of people are making money on their own terms and doing it in a way that really works for them.
—Fortune Editors, Fortune, 31 Dec. 2025
After the solstice, daylight increases little by little, giving us more sunshine and even more motivation to leave the house again.
—Tiffany Acosta, AZCentral.com, 19 Dec. 2025
That’s how things change, little by little.
—R. Eric Thomas, Denver Post, 7 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for little by little
Recent Examples of Synonyms for little by little
gradually
Adverb
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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
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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
Cite this Entry
“Little by little.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/little%20by%20little. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
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