incrementalism

American  

[in-kruh-men-tl-iz-uhm, ing-] / ˌɪn krəˈmɛn tlˌɪz əm, ˌɪŋ- /

noun

1. a policy of making changes, especially social changes, by degrees; gradualism.

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Other Word Forms

• incrementalist noun

Etymology

Origin of incrementalism

First recorded in 1965–70; incremental ( def. ) + -ism

Example Sentences

"We're arguing for radical incrementalism: achieving massive change through small, short-term steps. And we're offering a much-needed contrast to many other climate scenarios, which may be more aligned with the status quo, which isn't working."

From Science Daily • Jan. 9, 2024

"The incrementalism was perhaps a surprise to markets given the speculation of an actual tweak."

From Reuters • Oct. 31, 2023

Draped in idealism and wisdom but anchored in data and incrementalism.

From Washington Post • Jan. 11, 2023

On Twitter Friday, Ms. Brown characterized the task force proposals as “toothless suggestions, a retraumatizing database process, incrementalism as complicity.”

From Washington Times • Jun. 5, 2022

“All I hear about is frustration,” he said, “and incrementalism won’t get us where we need to be.”

From Los Angeles Times • May 5, 2022