as in gradually
by small steps or amounts
little by little, we pieced together the jigsaw puzzle
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Recent Examples of little by little
Prescott is a big believer in completing projects little by little.
—
Kylie Petty, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Apr. 2026
UConn clawed back, little by little, until a Cayden Boozer miscue led to UConn's Braylon Mullins becoming a legend forever.
—Megan Armstrong, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2026
As the light journeys along the fiber, little by little, some scatters off the glass molecules themselves and is lost.
—John Ballato, The Conversation, 24 Mar. 2026
But little by little, the habit consumed him.
—Mckay Coppins, The Atlantic, 12 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for little by little
Kylie Petty, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Apr. 2026
UConn clawed back, little by little, until a Cayden Boozer miscue led to UConn's Braylon Mullins becoming a legend forever.
—Megan Armstrong, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2026
As the light journeys along the fiber, little by little, some scatters off the glass molecules themselves and is lost.
—John Ballato, The Conversation, 24 Mar. 2026
But little by little, the habit consumed him.
—Mckay Coppins, The Atlantic, 12 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for little by little
Recent Examples of Synonyms for little by little
gradually
Adverb
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The Suns led by nine in the first quarter, but the Thunder gradually regained control and led for the entire second half.—
Dan Santaromita,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
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These Birkenstock Arizonas are also made with their signature cork footbeds, which can mold to the shape of your feet gradually to improve comfort and support your foot health.—
Jasmine Gomez,
Travel + Leisure,
27 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Little by little.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/little%20by%20little. Accessed 3 May. 2026.
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