CUMULATIVE Synonyms: 21 Similar and Opposite Words

cumulative

adjective

ˈkyü-myə-lə-tiv

Definition of cumulative

as in accumulative

produced by a series of additions of identical or similar things a cumulative weight gain of 20 pounds over the course of a year

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of cumulative That fact that the damage to the boardwalk is cumulative presents a particular challenge, Long Beach Fire Department spokesperson Melanie Miller said Sunday. — Deborah Vankin, Los Angeles Times, 12 Oct. 2026 Consumers are reeling from the cumulative impact of five years of post-pandemic inflation, economists note. — Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 9 Oct. 2026 If economic spying were added to the mix, the cumulative impact of this effort would be significantly enhanced. — David S. Cohen, Foreign Affairs, 8 Oct. 2026 The court sentenced Alongkot to a cumulative 742 years in prison, while Seksan received more than 386 years, but those sentences were automatically reduced to the legal maximum of 50 years. — ABC News, 7 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for cumulative

Recent Examples of Synonyms for cumulative

Adjective

The choice of Miami Beach as the festival’s long-term home is less accidental than accumulative.

— Desjah Altvater, Forbes.com, 18 June 2026
According to a new paper, published in the Journal of Geophysical Research, accumulative stresses in the Earth’s crust in California are higher today than at any point over the last 1,000 years, raising concerns over the potential for a massive rupture in the Los Angeles region.

— Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 10 June 2026

Definition of accumulative

Adjective

For readers watching household budgets, the math favors incremental change.

— Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Sacbee.com, 23 Oct. 2026
Peacock’s maiden second-quarter profit was lifted by FIFA World Cup games, which contributed $440 million in incremental media revenues.

— Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of incremental

Adjective

The National Weather Service says a gradual cool-down is possible next week, with rain chances increasing later in the week.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 23 Oct. 2026
The company cited a gradual recovery in the Middle East, growth in North America land, and broadening international activity in deep-water offshore.

— Jeff Marks, CNBC, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of gradual

Browse Nearby Words

cumulations

cumulative

cumulativeness

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Style

“Cumulative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cumulative. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of cumulative

adjective

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