gradual

1 of 2

adjective

grad·u·al ˈgra-jə-wəl

-jəl,

ˈgraj-wəl

Synonyms of gradual

: moving, changing, or developing by fine or often imperceptible degrees

a gradual change in temperature

: proceeding by steps or degrees

a gradual climb to the top

gradually adverb

gradualness noun

gradual

2 of 2

noun

variants often Gradual

: a book containing the choral parts of the Mass

: a pair of verses (as from the Psalms) proper after the Epistle in the Mass

Synonyms of gradual

Relevance

Adjective

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of gradual in a Sentence

Adjective We noticed a gradual change in temperature. The hospital has made gradual improvements in health care.

Recent Examples on the Web

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Adjective

The storm was moving north at 7 mph (11 kph), the center said, adding that a gradual turn to the northwest was expected late this week. — ABC News, 1 July 2026 Establishing that benchmark before problems appear is especially useful given how gradual hearing loss tends to be. — Allison Palmer, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 July 2026 While quality and nutrient parameters can decline during frozen storage, that decline is predictable and gradual rather than the steep losses observed in canning. — Anna Giorgi, Verywell Health, 2 July 2026 Still, the underlying assumption – or, at least, the hope – behind the tripartite framework is that by creating a gradual process, and demonstrating that each small step forward can work, both sides will have an interest in going further. — Ned Temko, Christian Science Monitor, 1 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for gradual

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Medieval Latin gradualis, from Latin gradus

Noun

Middle English, from Medieval Latin graduale, from Latin gradus step; from its being sung on the steps of the altar

First Known Use

Adjective

1658, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler

The first known use of gradual was in the 15th century

See more words from the same century

Cite this Entry

Style

“Gradual.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gradual. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

gradual

adjective

grad·u·al

ˈgraj-(ə-)wəl,

ˈgraj-əl

: proceeding by steps or degrees

: moving or changing by slight degrees

gradually adverb

gradualness noun

gradual

adjective

noun

Synonyms of gradual

Examples of gradual in a Sentence

Word History

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Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

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