Synonyms

gradually

American

[graj-oo-uh-lee] / ˈgrædʒ u ə li /

adverb

by small degrees or little by little.

The hurricane moved northwestward to northward for two days, gradually weakened to a depression, and then turned eastward.
Over the following decades, the curriculum was gradually expanded, with additional offerings in history, government, languages, geology, and geography.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

ungradually

adverb

Etymology

Origin of gradually

gradual ( def. ) + -ly

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.

At that time, lawmakers waited until the 11th hour to put through changes that included gradually raising the age for claiming full benefits to 67 for those born in 1960 or later.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 11, 2026

"Hospitality is stressed and I understand that," he said, pointing to the government's recent announcement that business rate rises for pubs would be phased in more gradually than originally planned.

From BBC • Jun. 10, 2026

As life gradually expanded from deeper waters into shallower marine environments, conditions became much more challenging.

From Science Daily • Jun. 10, 2026

Major League Baseball’s official app, long one of my favorites, has gradually surrounded baseball scores and video with window dressing that has made the app feel heavier.

From Slate • Jun. 10, 2026

This Irish song is also meant to gradually speed up in tempo as you sing.

From "Music and the Child" by Natalie Sarrazin

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023