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

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.

Gradually, though, Jonsson complicates our feelings about Taylor.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 24, 2026

Gradually, experts say workers should move up to putting aside at least 15% of income for retirement, or 25% in more aggressive frameworks.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 9, 2026

Gradually the members of the group peel away.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 18, 2026

Gradually, and with the help of psychologists and mental coaches, plus the confidence of Julen Lopetegui, the manager that gave him his Real debut, Valverde rediscovered that freedom.

From BBC • Mar. 17, 2026

Gradually, it fractured like thin ice on a pond, and a head emerged.

From "Aru Shah and the End of Time" by Roshani Chokshi

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