by degrees

Idioms  

1. Gradually, by successive steps or stages. For example, By degrees he began to delegate more and more of his duties to his staff. [Mid-1500s] Also see by inches.

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

by degrees

These were all private-sphere relationships defined by degrees of dominance and subordination.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 1, 2026

Sir Geoffrey said: "Both government and the BBC should seriously think about how the World Service's influence can be bolstered around the world, rather than risk its reach withering by degrees year on year."

From BBC ● Mar. 12, 2026

Arti Gollapudi plays all three of Deepali’s older sisters, for example, differing mainly by degrees of uptightness.

From New York Times ● Nov. 20, 2023

Their comments were by degrees somewhat less offensive than those of Martinez.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 10, 2022

At length, not coming out of her distraught state by degrees, but in an instant, Miss Havisham said, “Let me see you two play cards; why have you not begun?”

From "Great Expectations" by Charles Dickens