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. 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.

2. James Madison:

   I believe there are more instances of the abridgement of the freedom of the people by gradual and silent encroachments of those in power than by violent and sudden usurpations.

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. Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen:

   If incoming data are consistent with labor market conditions strengthening and inflation making progress toward our 2-percent objective, as I expect, further gradual increases in the federal funds rate are likely to be appropriate.

5. 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.