as in gradual
proceeding or changing by steps or degrees
a piecemeal attempt to remedy the traffic congestion
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in gradually
by small steps or amounts
remodeled their house piecemeal because of budgetary constraints
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of piecemeal
Maria Williams, USA Today, 23 Feb. 2026
The construction will have to be done piecemeal because the office will remain available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
—Dave Altimari, Hartford Courant, 21 Feb. 2026
Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 7 Jan. 2026
Personal details emerge piecemeal, in no particular order, always in connection with the music with which they are entangled.
—Literary Hub, 11 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for piecemeal
Adjective
When the Buzz Makes Perfect Sense Serenity Spa has adopted a policy of bundling treatments rather than offering them piecemeal.
—Maria Williams, USA Today, 23 Feb. 2026
The construction will have to be done piecemeal because the office will remain available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
—Dave Altimari, Hartford Courant, 21 Feb. 2026
Adverb
Whatever extra cash drivers throw into the congestion pricing till — in fact, all toll revenue — must go through a new state financial counting house and be given back piecemeal to the MTA when expenses are fully reviewed for reasonable cost.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 7 Jan. 2026
Personal details emerge piecemeal, in no particular order, always in connection with the music with which they are entangled.
—Literary Hub, 11 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for piecemeal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for piecemeal
Adjective
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Two of the people with MS, including Miller, have progressive MS, a form of the disease marked by gradual worsening of neurological function and disabilities over time.—
Kaitlin Sullivan,
NBC news,
15 Mar. 2026
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Both Krishnamoorthi and Kelly argue Stratton’s approach could harm small businesses and entry-level jobs and say a gradual increase to $17 an hour is more politically achievable.—
Rick Pearson,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Mar. 2026
Adverb
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That orientation had transferred to the cultural industries over time, with filmmakers, musicians and drama producers gradually becoming more attuned to international audiences alongside domestic ones.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
16 Mar. 2026
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More experienced runners can gradually increase the running intervals, working up to four or six minutes of running with a one-minute walk break.—
Avery Newmark,
AJC.com,
16 Mar. 2026
Adverb
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Cellphone video posted by Jada's aunt on social media shows Jada and another girl yelling and taunting each other while standing a good distance apart.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
12 Mar. 2026
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The shootings occurred months apart, but the circumstances were similar, Sobczak said.—
Teri Figueroa,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
12 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Piecemeal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/piecemeal. Accessed 19 Mar. 2026.
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