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.

Forecasters expect the heat dome to gradually shift westward next week, but not before millions of Americans contend with dangerous temperatures during the holiday weekend.

From Salon • Jul. 3, 2026

ANZ’s Tan said that a combination of resilient economic growth and gradually firmer inflation should give the central bank room to raise its policy rate later this year.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jul. 3, 2026

According to the researchers, this growing ability to control vocal timing likely developed gradually over the course of great ape evolution.

From Science Daily • Jul. 2, 2026

The framework has provisions for a test run of sorts, with Israeli troops withdrawing from two pilot zones where the Lebanese army will gradually assume security responsibilities.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 30, 2026

It takes longer but that person is destroyed gradually, by his or her own conscience.

From "Endgame" by Frank Brady

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