as in gradual
proceeding or changing by steps or degrees
a piecemeal attempt to remedy the traffic congestion
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in gradually
by small steps or amounts
remodeled their house piecemeal because of budgetary constraints
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of piecemeal
Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 23 Feb. 2026
When the Buzz Makes Perfect Sense Serenity Spa has adopted a policy of bundling treatments rather than offering them piecemeal.
—Maria Williams, USA Today, 23 Feb. 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
This will no longer be a piecemeal roster build.
—Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 23 Feb. 2026
When the Buzz Makes Perfect Sense Serenity Spa has adopted a policy of bundling treatments rather than offering them piecemeal.
—Maria Williams, USA Today, 23 Feb. 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
-
Two of the people with MS, including Miller, have progressive MS, a form of the disease marked by gradual worsening of neurological function and disabilities over time.—
Kaitlin Sullivan,
NBC news,
15 Mar. 2026
-
Both Krishnamoorthi and Kelly argue Stratton’s approach could harm small businesses and entry-level jobs and say a gradual increase to $17 an hour is more politically achievable.—
Rick Pearson,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
That orientation had transferred to the cultural industries over time, with filmmakers, musicians and drama producers gradually becoming more attuned to international audiences alongside domestic ones.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
16 Mar. 2026
-
More experienced runners can gradually increase the running intervals, working up to four or six minutes of running with a one-minute walk break.—
Avery Newmark,
AJC.com,
16 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
Ironically, Texas may have been where the DOJ sought to leverage its power to flip a key witness — and where things fell apart.—
Paul Flahive,
Austin American Statesman,
19 Mar. 2026
-
Genre-blending in Latin music is nothing new, but timing and execution set them apart, along with an uncanny ability to turn internet absurdism into cool songs, all wrapped in sharp musicianship and rock ’n’ roll panache.—
Maria Nenet Barrios,
Pitchfork,
19 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Piecemeal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/piecemeal. Accessed 22 Mar. 2026.
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