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

For decades, technology has been replacing human functions in recording, making it progressively easier—and cheaper—for amateurs to churn out commercial tracks, even if they’re not gifted singers or producers.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Once a bear finds an easy reward, it tends to return and becomes progressively bolder, according to wildlife officials.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

It’s a black blade that starts off skinny at the hilt and progressively increases in width, like Mr. Choi’s cricket paddles.

Read more on Literature

It proposes an optional "workshop" to discuss "low carbon solutions," or a high-level ministerial roundtable on pathways to help countries "progressively overcome their dependency on fossil fuels."

Read more on Barron's

Mr. Lacy is less responsible for creating a plausible person than becoming a progressively troublesome part of the machinery.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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