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
Eric McDaniel, NPR, 30 Apr. 2026
Medicaid coverage is piecemeal, reimbursing for some services in some states and not others.
—Paula Span, Miami Herald, 28 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
Many members of the House Republican conference refused to fund the agency in a piecemeal fashion and did not want to negotiate over reforms to immigration enforcement operations.
—Eric McDaniel, NPR, 30 Apr. 2026
Medicaid coverage is piecemeal, reimbursing for some services in some states and not others.
—Paula Span, Miami Herald, 28 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
-
Extensive design iterations, airworthiness certification, and manufacturing validation requirements make the path to mass production longer and more complex, resulting in a gradual ramp-up in deliveries.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
7 June 2026
-
All spring long, Venus and Jupiter have been playing a gradual version of celestial chicken, driving toward each other.—
Mike Lynch,
Twin Cities,
7 June 2026
Adverb
-
What began with planters for unusual desert plants gradually evolved into sculpture.—
Daniel Cassady,
ARTnews.com,
8 June 2026
-
Fiber increases work best gradually Adding more fiber can be good for your diet, but suddenly doubling your intake can backfire.—
Ryan Brennan,
Miami Herald,
8 June 2026
Adverb
-
Geography is important to understand how the case fell apart.—
Julie K. Brown,
Miami Herald,
4 June 2026
-
Generational clashes threaten to tear the Lawson family apart.—
Rosy Cordero,
Deadline,
4 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Piecemeal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/piecemeal. Accessed 11 Jun. 2026.
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