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

Still, the country’s top-down regulatory system allows Beijing to more quickly step in if security and privacy issues get out of hand, a contrast from the US’ often slow-moving and piecemeal approach. — J.d. Capelouto, semafor.com, 9 Sep. 2026

For all the damage that Kennedy has inflicted, his actions on vaccines have largely been piecemeal and procedural. — Dhruv Khullar, New Yorker, 25 Aug. 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