Synonyms of gradually
20 similar words · 3 opposite words
Another word for gradually is stepmeal. Other synonyms of gradually are ponderously, incrementally, sluggishly, step by step and bit by bit. The opposite of gradually is suddenly.
Synonyms and similar words for gradually
adverbIn a gradual manner; making slow progress; slowly.
adverbBy degrees.
- incrementallyIn an incremental fashion; by small changes.
adverbMore synonyms
- sluggishlyIn a sluggish manner; responding or moving slowly.
- step by stepGradually and steadily.
- bit by bitA small amount at a time.
- by degreesIn gradual steps; bit by bit.
- piecemeal
- by inchesVery gradually; by small degrees.
- continually
- inch by inchGradually or incrementally.
- little by littleA small amount at a time.
- momentarily
- momentlyFrom moment to moment; continually.
- one by oneIndividually in succession.
- one step at a timeSlowly and steadily, without rushing.
- progressively
- stepmealOne step at a time; step by step; gradually; by degrees.
- unsuddenlyNot suddenly; happening slowly and with plenty of warning; in an unsudden manner.
- footmeal rareStep by step: incrementally, little by little, by degrees, one foot (measure) at a time.
- gradatim obsoleteStep by step; gradually and methodically.
Opposite of gradually
Meaning of gradually
- adverb In a gradual manner; making slow progress; slowly.
- adverb By degrees.
gradually in other languages
Questions about synonyms of gradually
- What is another word for gradually?
- Gradually has 20 synonyms on Word.ws, such as stepmeal, ponderously, incrementally, sluggishly, step by step, bit by bit, by degrees and piecemeal.
- What is the opposite of gradually?
- The opposite of gradually is suddenly. Other antonyms of gradually are abruptly.
- What does gradually mean?
- Gradually means in a gradual manner; making slow progress; slowly.
Source and license
Adapted from Wiktionary: gradually (page history and authors) and the entries of the words listed. Text available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 license. Word.ws grouped the synonyms and antonyms by meaning and added links. Wiktionary data of 2026-09-02.
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Cite this page: “Synonyms of gradually.” Word.ws, https://word.ws/synonyms/gradually. Based on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.