piecemeal

1 of 2

adverb

piece·​meal ˈpēs-ˌmēl How to pronounce piecemeal (audio)
-ˈmēl
Synonyms of piecemeal
1
: one piece at a time : gradually
2
: in pieces or fragments : apart

piecemeal

2 of 2

adjective

: done, made, or accomplished piece by piece or in a fragmentary way
piecemeal reforms in the system

Synonyms of piecemeal

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Adverb

Adjective

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Examples of piecemeal in a Sentence

Adverb remodeled their house piecemeal because of budgetary constraints one well-aimed blow ripped the piñata piecemeal Adjective They've done piecemeal repairs in the past, but the bridge now needs major reconstruction. Some people want the changes to be made all at once, but I think we should take a more piecemeal approach.
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.
Adverb
The construction will have to be done piecemeal because the office will remain available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. — Dave Altimari, Hartford Courant, 21 Feb. 2026 All of these current approaches to self-improving AI are not recursive but piecemeal. — Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 3 Apr. 2026
Adjective
An unlikely hit given its piecemeal arrangement, vocal effects and bird chirps. — Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 18 June 2026 Waffling, piecemeal proposals, a potpourri of reforms, and a lack of courage will ensure that little changes. — Wendell Wallach, Hartford Courant, 25 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for piecemeal

Word History

First Known Use

Adverb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1593, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of piecemeal was in the 14th century

Rhymes for piecemeal

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Browse Nearby Words

piece mark
piecemeal
piece mold
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Cite this Entry

“Piecemeal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/piecemeal. Accessed 10 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

piecemeal

1 of 2 adverb
piece·​meal ˈpē-ˌsmēl How to pronounce piecemeal (audio)
1
: one piece at a time : gradually
2
: in pieces : apart

piecemeal

2 of 2 adjective
: done, made, or accomplished piece by piece or in an incomplete way
piecemeal reforms

More from Merriam-Webster on piecemeal

Nglish: Translation of piecemeal for Spanish Speakers

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