Definitions

piece by piece

ADJECTIVE

each

Synonyms

WEAK

all any exclusive individual one by one particular personal respective separate several single specific various without exception

Antonyms

WEAK

none

ADVERB

by degrees

Synonyms

WEAK

a little at a time bit by bit continuously drop by drop gradually in small doses inch by inch little by little 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 little by little perceptibly piecemeal sequentially serially step by step successively unhurriedly

Antonyms

WEAK

abruptly fastly intermittently suddenly

ADVERB

partially

Synonyms

STRONGEST

moderately partly somewhat

WEAK

by degrees by installments fractionally halfway in part in some measure little by little not wholly 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 little by little measurably not entirely not fully not strictly speaking not wholly notably noticeably 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.

In practical terms, this approach lets chemists adjust complex molecules near the end of the drug development process rather than dismantling them and rebuilding them piece by piece -- something that can otherwise take months.

From Science Daily • Mar. 14, 2026

Ernesto leaned over the flatbed and ate the watermelon with his hands, piece by piece, until the box was empty.

From Slate • Jan. 27, 2026

This guy took the car apart, piece by piece, screw by screw.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 7, 2025

County jail cells that were brought down piece by piece from their original location on the 10th floor of the Hall of Justice.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 10, 2025

So von Linden sold my clothes back to me piece by piece.

From "Code Name Verity" by Elizabeth Wein

piece by piece

Example Sentences

Related Words