Synonyms of piecemeal

piecemeal 1 of 2

adjective

as in gradual

proceeding or changing by steps or degrees

a piecemeal attempt to remedy the traffic congestion

Synonyms & Similar Words

• gradual
• phased
• incremental
• step-by-step
• gradational
• progressive
• tapered
• stepped
• imperceptible
• decrescent
• increscent
• inching

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• sudden
• abrupt
• discontinuous
• acute
• dynamic
• sharp
• saltatory
• volatile
• changeable
• meteoric

piecemeal

2 of 2

adverb

ˈpēs-ˌmēl 

1

as in gradually

by small steps or amounts

remodeled their house piecemeal because of budgetary constraints

Synonyms & Similar Words

• gradually
• bit by bit
• inch by inch
• by degrees
• slowly
• progressively
• piece by piece
• little by little
• gradationally
• increasingly
• inchmeal
• hierarchically
• imperceptibly
• fractionally
• crescively

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• suddenly
• abruptly
• sharply
• acutely
• steeply
• hastily
• precipitously

2

as in apart

into parts or pieces

one well-aimed blow ripped the piñata piecemeal

Synonyms & Similar Words

• apart
• to pieces
• asunder

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• together

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of piecemeal

Adjective

Community leaders say the situation represents the frustrating piecemeal approach taken over the years to preserve one of the city’s most important cultural landmarks. — Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 31 July 2026

How OpenAI’s technology escaped a sandbox and hacked into another company is a remarkable story, and one in which the details are still coming in piecemeal. — Emily Forlini, Fortune, 29 July 2026

Adverb

These circumstances pose a legal challenge for Pirro because the Supreme Court generally disfavors piecemeal appeals. — Matt Peterson, CNBC, 8 Apr. 2026

All of these current approaches to self-improving AI are not recursive but piecemeal. — Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 3 Apr. 2026