Definitions

little by little

ADJECTIVE

piecemeal

Synonyms

STRONGEST

gradual

WEAK

at intervals by fits and starts fragmentary intermittent interrupted little-by-little partial patchy spotty step-by-step

ADVERB

bit by bit

Synonyms

WEAK

by degrees drop by drop grade by grade gradually in stages inch by inch inchmeal piecemeal step by step

ADVERB

by degrees

Synonyms

WEAK

a little at a time bit by bit continuously drop by drop gradually in small doses inch by inch piece by piece steadily

ADVERB

gradually

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 perceptibly piece by piece piecemeal sequentially serially step by step successively unhurriedly

Antonyms

WEAK

abruptly fastly intermittently suddenly

ADVERB

one by one

Synonyms

WEAK

gradually in succession individually one at a time separately singly step by step

ADVERB

partially

Synonyms

STRONGEST

moderately partly somewhat

WEAK

by degrees by installments fractionally halfway in part in some measure not wholly piece by piece piecemeal to a certain degree to a certain extent

Antonyms

WEAK

completely totally wholly

ADVERB

partly

Synonyms

STRONGEST

at least partially slightly somewhat

WEAK

at best at most at worst bit by bit by degrees carelessly halfway in a general way in bits and pieces in part in some measure in some ways inadequately incompletely insufficiently measurably not entirely not fully not strictly speaking not wholly notably noticeably piece by piece piecemeal relatively so far as possible to a certain degree to a certain extent up to a certain point within limits

Antonyms

WEAK

completely totally wholly

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.

The reason this works is that you do the saving part, little by little, and then the magic of compounding interest does the rest.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 10, 2026

Alcaraz stood at the back of court, telling himself "little by little, Charly, vamos" as he tried to find some energy late in the fourth set.

From BBC • Jan. 30, 2026

It calls it a capital investment, and deducts it from earnings little by little.

From Barron's • Dec. 26, 2025

Paul was undeterred, and little by little he wore Anthony down.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 8, 2025

Day by day, week by week, little by little Shirley shrank until she was no more.

From "In the Year of the Boar and Jackie Robinson" by Bette Bao Lord

little by little

Example Sentences

Related Words