piecemeal 1 of 2

as in gradual
proceeding or changing by steps or degrees a piecemeal attempt to remedy the traffic congestion

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piecemeal

2 of 2

adverb

1
2
as in apart
into parts or pieces one well-aimed blow ripped the piñata piecemeal

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of piecemeal
Adjective
Avila had grown tired of the piecemeal approaches that mathematicians used to understand almost-periodic functions. Lyndie Chiou, Quanta Magazine, 25 Aug. 2025 Still, these reforms remain piecemeal and are isolated to places with political will and financial resources. Danya Gainor, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2025
Adverb
The sale of about a third of those stations suggests that the bank will seek to cleave them off piecemeal to get the best deal. Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 8 Aug. 2025 Presidential ethics are too important to be addressed piecemeal. MSNBC Newsweek, 17 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for piecemeal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for piecemeal
Adjective
  • Use jig and pigs 18 to 25 feet deep along brush piles or main lake points with a gradual slope.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 16 Sep. 2025
  • The central bank has also been setting its daily reference rate stronger — around which the onshore yuan is allowed to trade within a 2% range — near its strongest level seen in last November, allowing a gradual appreciation against the dollar.
    Anniek Bao, CNBC, 16 Sep. 2025
Adverb
  • Start with once daily, and if your skin can handle it, gradually increase to two or three times per week.
    Lily Wohlner, Allure, 16 Sep. 2025
  • Tropical activity is expected to gradually ramp up over the next few weeks as conditions become more favorable for development, forecasters say.
    Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 16 Sep. 2025
Adverb
  • Vogue’s Favorite Checked Pieces Featured in this article What sets checks apart is their versatility—there is no single way to wear them.
    Andrea Zendejas, Vogue, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Because the White House can subsidize lithium, Congress can fast-track permitting and the Pentagon can backstop rare earth processors, but if no one’s available to drill, blast, haul or refine, the whole thing falls apart.
    Anthony Milewski, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Piecemeal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/piecemeal. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.

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