as in gradual
proceeding or changing by steps or degrees
a piecemeal attempt to remedy the traffic congestion
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in gradually
by small steps or amounts
remodeled their house piecemeal because of budgetary constraints
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of piecemeal
Lee Billings, Scientific American, 16 Apr. 2026
The film on occasion calls to mind Alfonso Cuarón’s Roma, which did a similarly convincing job of conjuring up the tones and textures of a life remembered in piecemeal, with both fondness and ache.
—Richard Lawson, HollywoodReporter, 16 Apr. 2026
Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 7 Jan. 2026
Personal details emerge piecemeal, in no particular order, always in connection with the music with which they are entangled.
—Literary Hub, 11 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for piecemeal
Adjective
These more piecemeal estimates have informed large-scale cosmic simulations that model the growth and evolution of galaxies.
—Lee Billings, Scientific American, 16 Apr. 2026
The film on occasion calls to mind Alfonso Cuarón’s Roma, which did a similarly convincing job of conjuring up the tones and textures of a life remembered in piecemeal, with both fondness and ache.
—Richard Lawson, HollywoodReporter, 16 Apr. 2026
Adverb
Whatever extra cash drivers throw into the congestion pricing till — in fact, all toll revenue — must go through a new state financial counting house and be given back piecemeal to the MTA when expenses are fully reviewed for reasonable cost.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 7 Jan. 2026
Personal details emerge piecemeal, in no particular order, always in connection with the music with which they are entangled.
—Literary Hub, 11 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for piecemeal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for piecemeal
Adjective
-
There was not a gradual build to this moment, allowing Rai to adjust over time to a changing reality.—
Gabby Herzig,
New York Times,
18 May 2026
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The study authors argue that humans became strongly right-handed through a gradual evolutionary process tied to bipedalism and brain expansion rather than a single genetic switch.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
16 May 2026
Adverb
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Because hearing changes usually happen gradually, many people adapt without realizing how much their hearing has shifted.—
Matthew Kayser,
Sacbee.com,
18 May 2026
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Democrats in both chambers are vowing to press on and Republican defections are gradually growing in each chamber.—
Burgess Everett,
semafor.com,
18 May 2026
Adverb
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The changes that the mayor is seeking will still set this housing apart for those who need it most, but not let bureaucracy itself drive them away.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
15 May 2026
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After cruising to a 12-5 record with an NFC Championship Game appearance in 2024, the Commanders fell apart, physically and otherwise, in 2025.—
Nicki Jhabvala,
New York Times,
15 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Piecemeal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/piecemeal. Accessed 22 May. 2026.
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