gradually

[graj-oo-uh-lee] / ˈgrædʒ u ə li /

ADVERB

happening slowly, evenly

Synonyms

STRONGEST

constantly continuously deliberately gently increasingly moderately progressively regularly steadily

WEAK

bit by bit by degrees by installments imperceptibly in small doses inch by inch little by little perceptibly piece by piece piecemeal sequentially serially step by step successively unhurriedly

Antonyms

WEAK

abruptly fastly intermittently suddenly

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

However, we were unaware that it is millions of dollars in debt, and that the debt load is gradually increasing.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 5, 2026

But sentiment has gradually improved as analysts pile back into the stock.

From Barron's • Jun. 4, 2026

In one scenario, temperatures gradually declined throughout the tube.

From Science Daily • Jun. 3, 2026

In part for that reason, his narrative gradually comes to seem padded and repetitive.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 3, 2026

I’d ease them into the big picture gradually.

From "Lawn Boy Returns" by Gary Paulsen