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, it becomes clear that the game DJ and host are also getting ready, running through their playlists and patter.

From Los Angeles Times • May 13, 2026

Gradually, the spiritual significance of the Santseo tree began to fade.

From BBC • May 2, 2026

Gradually, custom chips from the likes of Google—made in collaboration with Broadcom—began to make inroads.

From Barron's • Apr. 17, 2026

Gradually and gingerly, party lines are being crossed in the House and Senate.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 1, 2026

Gradually, they began to open up about their lives.

From "Outcasts United: An American Town, a Refugee Team, and One Woman's Quest to Make a Difference" by Warren St. John

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