GRADUAL: Synonyms and Related Words. What is Another Word for GRADUAL?

Need another word that means the same as “gradual”? Find 14 synonyms and 30 related words for “gradual” in this overview.

The synonyms of “Gradual” are: slow, moderate, measured, unhurried, restrained, cautious, circumspect, unspectacular, gentle, not steep, slight, easy, subtle, imperceptible

Gradual as an Adjective

Definitions of "Gradual" as an adjective

According to the Oxford Dictionary of English, “gradual” as an adjective can have the following definitions:

• Not steep or abrupt.
• Taking place or progressing slowly or by degrees.
• (of a slope) not steep or abrupt.
• Proceeding in small stages.
• (of a topographical gradient) not steep or abrupt.

Synonyms of "Gradual" as an adjective (14 Words)

cautious	(of a person) careful to avoid potential problems or dangers. A cautious driver.
circumspect	Heedful of potential consequences. The officials were very circumspect in their statements.
easy	Affording pleasure. An easy pat on the shoulder.
gentle	Soft and mild; not harsh or stern or severe. A gentle sensitive man.
imperceptible	So slight, gradual, or subtle as not to be perceived. His head moved in an almost imperceptible nod.
measured	The rhythmic arrangement of syllables. She set off with measured tread.
moderate	Average in amount, intensity, quality, or degree. Moderate demands.
not steep	Greatly exceeding bounds of reason or moderation.
restrained	Prudent. Restrained in his response.
slight	Being of delicate or slender build. A slight increase.
slow	At a slow tempo. Until recently diesel cars were slow and noisy.
subtle	(especially of a change or distinction) so delicate or precise as to be difficult to analyse or describe. His language expresses rich and subtle meanings.
unhurried	Relaxed and leisurely; without hurry or haste. The singing is unhurried.
unspectacular	Not spectacular; unremarkable. She had been an unspectacular student.

Usage Examples of "Gradual" as an adjective

• A gradual slope.
• A gradual increase in prices.
• The gradual introduction of new methods.

Associations of "Gradual" (30 Words)

bit	The cutting part of a drill usually pointed and threaded and is replaceable in a brace or bitstock or drill press. A bit of rock caught him in the eye.
changeover	An event that results in a transformation. The changeover from handicraft to mechanized manufacture.
conversion	A change in the units or form of an expression. Conversion disorders.
decline	Go down in value. Caroline declined the coffee.
deduct	Reason by deduction establish by deduction. Tax has been deducted from the payments.
dilatory	Wasting time. They resorted to dilatory tactics forcing a postponement of peace talks.
diminish	Lessen the authority, dignity, or reputation of. The pain will gradually diminish.
diminished	Of an organ or body part diminished in size or strength as a result of disease or injury or lack of use. She felt diminished by the report.
diminution	The statement of a theme in notes of lesser duration (usually half the length of the original. A permanent diminution in value.
erode	(of a disease) gradually destroy (bodily tissue. This humiliation has eroded what confidence Jean has.
escalation	A rapid increase; a rise. There was a gradual escalation of hostilities.
fading	Weakening in force or intensity.
gradually	In a gradual manner. Gradually his powers of speech returned.
laggard	A person who makes slow progress and falls behind others. Staff were under enormous pressure and there was no time for laggards.
lessen	Decrease in size, extent, or range. The warmth of the afternoon lessened.
minimize	Reduce (something, especially something undesirable) to the smallest possible amount or degree. Let s minimize the risk.
minority	A small group of people within a community or country, differing from the main population in race, religion, language, or political persuasion. A blocking minority of 23 votes.
piecemeal	A little bit at a time. The village is slowly being killed off by piecemeal development.
reduce	Reduce in size reduce physically. The arsenic is reduced to the trivalent condition.
reduced	Well below normal (especially in price.
reducible	Capable of being reduced- Edmund Wilson. Shakespeare s major soliloquies are not reducible to categories.
reduction	A copy of a picture or photograph made on a smaller scale than the original. Talks on arms reduction.
shrinkage	The process, fact, or amount of shrinking. Give long curtains good hems to allow for shrinkage.
shrinking	The act of becoming less. The shrinking market has provoked a massive price war.
slacken	Reduce or decrease in speed or intensity. Suddenly the line slackens and flutters in the wind.
slow	Of a sports field or ground likely to make the ball bounce or run slowly or to prevent competitors from travelling fast. Business is dull or slow.
slowly	Without speed slow is sometimes used informally for slowly. They moved forward slowly.
steady	Support or hold steady and make steadfast with or as if with a brace. A good steady ballplayer.
waning	Pertaining to the period during which the visible surface of the moon decreases. The waxing and waning of the moon.
weaken	Lessen in force or effect. The fever weakened his body.