Synonyms for gradual
ˈgrædʒ u əlgrad·u·al

WiktionaryRate these synonyms:3.0 / 1 vote

1. gradualnoun

   Antonyms:
   sudden, abrupt

2. gradualadjective

   Proceeding by steps or small degrees; advancing step by step, as in ascent or descent or from one state to another; regularly progressive; slow; as, a gradual increase of knowledge; a gradual decline.

   Antonyms:
   sudden, abrupt

English Synonyms and AntonymsRate these synonyms:0.0 / 0 votes

1. gradual

   Slow signifies moving through a relatively short distance, or with a relatively small number of motions in a given time; slow also applies to that which is a relatively long while in beginning or accomplishing something; a watch or a clock is said to be slow when its indications are behind those of the standard time. Tardy is applied to that which is behind the proper or desired time, especially in doing a work or arriving at a place. Deliberate and dilatory are used of persons, tho the latter may be used also of things, as of a stream; a person is deliberate who takes a noticeably long time to consider and decide before acting or who acts or speaks as if he were deliberating at every point; a person is dilatory who lays aside, or puts off as long as possible, necessary or required action; both words may be applied either to undertaking or to doing. Gradual (Latin gradus, a step) signifies advancing by steps, and refers to slow but regular and sure progression. Slack refers to action that seems to indicate a lack of tension, as of muscle or of will, sluggish to action that seems as if reluctant to advance.

   See synonyms for NIMBLE.

   Synonyms:
   dawdling, delaying, deliberate, dilatory, drowsy, dull, inactive, inert, lingering, moderate, procrastinating, slack, slow, sluggish, tardy

Complete Dictionary of Synonyms and AntonymsRate these synonyms:0.0 / 0 votes

1. gradual

   Synonyms:
   slow, continuous, unintermittent, gradational, regular, step by step, progressive

   Antonyms:
   sudden, momentary, instantaneous, periodic, recurrent, intermittent, discontinuous, broken, disconnected

Princeton's WordNetRate these antonyms:0.0 / 0 votes

1. gradualadjective

   (Roman Catholic Church) an antiphon (usually from the Book of Psalms) immediately after the epistle at Mass

   Antonyms:
   jerky, bold, steep, steepish, heavy, precipitous, explosive, sharp, fulminant, emergent, steep-sided, choppy, abrupt, bluff, perpendicular, sudden, sheer

2. gradualadjective

   proceeding in small stages

   "a gradual increase in prices"

   Antonyms:
   bold, sheer, abrupt, steep-sided, choppy, bluff, fulminant, steep, precipitous, sudden, emergent, perpendicular, explosive, sharp, steepish, jerky, heavy

3. gradualadjective

   (of a topographical gradient) not steep or abrupt

   "a gradual slope"

   Antonyms:
   sheer, heavy, sharp, steep, emergent, explosive, sudden, steep-sided, abrupt, fulminant, jerky, choppy, bluff, precipitous, steepish, perpendicular, bold

Dictionary of English SynonymesRate these synonyms:4.0 / 3 votes

1. gradualadjective

   Synonyms:
   regular (step by step), progressive, slow

PPDB, the paraphrase databaseRate these paraphrases:0.0 / 0 votes

1. List of paraphrases for "gradual":

   progressive, step-by-step, phased, incremental, phased-in, gradually, stepwise, progressively, smooth, step-wise, gradualist, piecemeal, steady, graduated, staged

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How to use gradual in a sentence?

1. John Glaser:

   By and large, this is seen as a sign of the gradual decline in the importance of the Palestinian cause among Arab regimes, the UAE hoped to get some credit for caring about the fate of the Palestinians, but since the deal only brought a temporary halt to Israeli annexation plans, the Palestinians have harshly criticized the UAE for betraying them.

2. Angel Talavera:

   Growth driven by consumer spending can only last so long. We expect that will fade away little by little, the second quarter (growth) will probably be the peak... We don't expect a very big slowdown, but a gradual moderation.

3. Gennadiy Goldberg:

   The theme in housing market activity remains one of gradual improvement as underlying fundamentals continue to pick up.

4. Anthony Fauci:

   If we could vaccinate the overwhelming majority of the population, we could start talking about real normality again, but it is going to be a gradual process.

5. Jared Bernstein:

   It becomes awfully hard for Republicans to bash the president about the economy in general or about the so-called job killer Obamacare in particular on the heels of not just this month's report, but the gradual improvement in the job market, and if the wage improvement story sticks, and I kind of think it might, that takes very important argument off the table.