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
Start buying items little by little ahead of time.
—
Michelle Marchante
updated May 27,
Miami Herald,
27 May 2026
Go Slow Adding compost or any other soil amendments should be done little by little to avoid overwhelming your garden or your plants.
—
Lauren Landers,
The Spruce,
15 May 2026
This was building little by little, the performances were getting better and better.
—
Mark Zeigler,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 May 2026
The point of racially conscious practices of any kind shouldn’t be to hit particular numerical targets, but to improve, little by little, the institutions in a wealthy and powerful democracy that has not yet escaped the present effects of a deeply racist past.
—
Stephen L. Carter,
Twin Cities,
8 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for little by little
Michelle Marchante
updated May 27,
Miami Herald,
27 May 2026
Go Slow Adding compost or any other soil amendments should be done little by little to avoid overwhelming your garden or your plants.
—
Lauren Landers,
The Spruce,
15 May 2026
This was building little by little, the performances were getting better and better.
—
Mark Zeigler,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 May 2026
The point of racially conscious practices of any kind shouldn’t be to hit particular numerical targets, but to improve, little by little, the institutions in a wealthy and powerful democracy that has not yet escaped the present effects of a deeply racist past.
—
Stephen L. Carter,
Twin Cities,
8 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for little by little
Recent Examples of Synonyms for little by little
gradually
Adverb
-
The framework has provisions for a test run of sorts, with Israeli troops withdrawing from two pilot zones where the Lebanese army will gradually assume security responsibilities.
-
On Friday, the Israeli and Lebanese governments agreed a process by which the Lebanese military (LAF) would gradually take control of zones in southern Lebanon.
Cite this Entry
“Little by little.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/little%20by%20little. Accessed 30 Jun. 2026.
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