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. Mary Daly:

   When the coronavirus is behind us, we can reengage fully, it won't be quick; in my opinion, it won't be 'V'-shaped, it will be gradual.

2. Tom Porcelli:

   If - when - they lift rates in December, the Fed will likely be very aggressive in highlighting the idea of a very gradual pace.

3. John Koenig:

   Your life is a highlight reel: a gradual search for a handful of memories.

4. Loretta Mester:

   It was prudent to take the first step on the path of gradual normalization of interest rates.

5. Guillaume Tresca:

   There could be some repricing but less than before. We don't expect a big sell off, we expect some slight, gradual depreciation, in addition, oil prices are still quite high at around $50 a dollar - it's not like in January or February when the pressure on EM was really strong.