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

How to pronounce gradual?

How to say gradual in sign language?

Words popularity by usage frequency

How to use gradual in a sentence?

1. Azman Mokhtar:

   We think our internationalisation strategy has been gradual without neglecting our role of investing domestically.

2. The NHC:

   Environmental conditions could become conducive for gradual development later this week while the system moves west-northwestward at around 15 mph over the central tropical Atlantic.

3. Justin Fabo:

   Yellen made it clear that while the Fed still expects to continue on its gradual tightening path, policy was not on a pre-set course and would respond appropriately to developments, the real test may come later, if markets continue to deteriorate and look to central banks to save them. Are policymakers' guns loaded with blanks?

4. Pedro Sanchez:

   We will not suddenly recover activity across all sectors, the deescalation has to be gradual and asymmetric... We won't all advance at the same pace but we will follow the same rules.

5. Edhem Eldem:

   The gradual shift towards a more Islamic, more Ottoman perception of the real identity of the Turkish nation ... is why Gallipoli becomes part of the political agenda, as it has now.