GRADUALLY Synonyms: 22 Similar and Opposite Words

gradually

adverb

Definition of gradually

as in slowly

by small steps or amounts gradually worked his way down the class roster add the sugar to the beaten egg whites gradually to make the meringue

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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 gradually The fee applies during the first 13 years of the agreement and gradually declines over the remaining initial term. — Sydney Sasser, Arkansas Online, 1 Sep. 2026 Some medications need to be tapered gradually, and there are serious risks of stopping them suddenly. — Danielle Zickl, HEALTH, 31 Aug. 2026 That strange hue will gradually fade in the hour following moonrise, as Earth's satellite arcs away from the skyline. — Anthony Wood, Space.com, 31 Aug. 2026 Fertility in women decreases gradually but significantly at age 32 and rapidly after 37, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. — Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2026 The exercises start with breath work and grounding before gradually moving into a full-body workout and finishing with a deep stretch and meditation. — Deborah Vankin, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026 Basically, this small insect appeared to preserve a transitional stage as its lineage gradually adapted from aquatic life to living on land. — New Atlas, 30 Aug. 2026 The restaurants shut down for months before gradually reopening, and Kfoury said TriSpan’s arrival helped give NAYA the financial backing to survive the disruption. — Tatiana Sataua, Fortune, 30 Aug. 2026 The immediate danger eased only when the barrier drained gradually rather than collapsing all at once. — Umesh Haritashya, The Conversation, 29 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for gradually

Adverb

Moving slowly is important and will help keep you off a buck’s radar.

— Josh Honeycutt, Outdoor Life, 27 Aug. 2026
The Pets Table takes a fresh approach by slowly cooking its recipes to help maintain naturally occurring vitamins, protein content, and flavor.

— Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of slowly

Adverb

At the same time, increasing the dose beyond a certain range produces progressively smaller increases in some opioid effects.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 Aug. 2026
Much of this debt has funded investment that has generated progressively lower—even negative—economic returns, including excess residential real estate, underutilized infrastructure, and manufacturing capacity that far outstrips demand.

— MICHAEL PETTIS, Foreign Affairs, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of progressively

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gradual

gradually

graduate

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“Gradually.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gradually. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of gradually

adverb

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