progressively

[pruh-gres-iv-lee]

adverb

1. by degrees or stages; incrementally.

   If the disease remains unchecked, the rate of infection in the herd increases progressively over time.

   Over a five-year period, she became progressively weaker.

2. in a way characterized by or favoring improvement, reform, advances in social policy or conditions, more enlightened ideas, etc..

   Imagine a political party that actually wants America to be governed progressively.

Other Word Forms

• nonprogressively adverb
• quasi-progressively adverb
• semiprogressively adverb
• ultraprogressively adverb
• unprogressively adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of progressively¹

progressive ( def. ) + -ly

Example Sentences

“It’s a long-term trend in the home-insurance sector that began decades ago and has progressively worsened over the years,” Weiss said.

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He had found it progressively harder to sleep, and to go into the office.

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"Filmmakers have been progressively lured by tax incentives that come from shooting movies in other parts of the world, and the Los Angeles film industry has lost its glitz and glamour."

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Viewership has progressively declined over the three seasons, according to Samba TV, a viewing data tracker.

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After striking out Willi Castro, he walked each of his next three batters on pitches that drifted progressively farther from the plate.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• constantly 
• continuously 
• deliberately 
• gently 
• increasingly 
• moderately 
• regularly 
• steadily