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Gradual: alternatives and connections

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Gradual

Proceeding by steps or 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.

72 useful connections shown 33 reviewed relationships and 39 broader connections.
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Reviewed alternatives and contrasts

These links were deliberately created. Use the interchangeability score and guidance to judge whether a word will work in your sentence.

Similar meaning 14

Easy 84% connected

At ease; free from pain, trouble, or constraint

oewn 2023 50% interchangeable

Open English WordNet links these adjective senses as similar in meaning; they are not necessarily interchangeable.

Easy 84% connected

At ease; free from pain, trouble, or constraint

oewn 2023 50% interchangeable

Open English WordNet links these adjective senses as similar in meaning; they are not necessarily interchangeable.

Gentle 84% connected

Well-born; of a good family or respectable birth, though not noble.

oewn 2023 50% interchangeable

Open English WordNet links these adjective senses as similar in meaning; they are not necessarily interchangeable.

Gentle 84% connected

Well-born; of a good family or respectable birth, though not noble.

oewn 2023 50% interchangeable

Open English WordNet links these adjective senses as similar in meaning; they are not necessarily interchangeable.

Gradational 84% connected

By regular steps or gradations; of or pertaining to gradation.

oewn 2023 50% interchangeable

Open English WordNet links these adjective senses as similar in meaning; they are not necessarily interchangeable.

Gradational 84% connected

By regular steps or gradations; of or pertaining to gradation.

oewn 2023 50% interchangeable

Open English WordNet links these adjective senses as similar in meaning; they are not necessarily interchangeable.

Gradatory 84% connected

Proceeding step by step, or by gradations; gradual.

oewn 2023 50% interchangeable

Open English WordNet links these adjective senses as similar in meaning; they are not necessarily interchangeable.

Gradatory 84% connected

Proceeding step by step, or by gradations; gradual.

oewn 2023 50% interchangeable

Open English WordNet links these adjective senses as similar in meaning; they are not necessarily interchangeable.

Graduated 84% connected

of Graduate

oewn 2023 50% interchangeable

Open English WordNet links these adjective senses as similar in meaning; they are not necessarily interchangeable.

Graduated 84% connected

of Graduate

oewn 2023 50% interchangeable

Open English WordNet links these adjective senses as similar in meaning; they are not necessarily interchangeable.

Piecemeal 84% connected

In pieces; in parts or fragments.

oewn 2023 50% interchangeable

Open English WordNet links these adjective senses as similar in meaning; they are not necessarily interchangeable.

Piecemeal 84% connected

In pieces; in parts or fragments.

oewn 2023 50% interchangeable

Open English WordNet links these adjective senses as similar in meaning; they are not necessarily interchangeable.

Sloping 84% connected

of Slope

oewn 2023 50% interchangeable

Open English WordNet links these adjective senses as similar in meaning; they are not necessarily interchangeable.

Sloping 84% connected

of Slope

oewn 2023 50% interchangeable

Open English WordNet links these adjective senses as similar in meaning; they are not necessarily interchangeable.

Broader term 2

Antiphon 76% connected

A musical response; alternate singing or chanting. See Antiphony, and Antiphone.

oewn 2023 0% interchangeable

Open English WordNet identifies the related term as a broader lexical category for at least one sense.

Antiphony 76% connected

A musical response; also, antiphonal chanting or signing.

oewn 2023 0% interchangeable

Open English WordNet identifies the related term as a broader lexical category for at least one sense.

Derivationally related 8

Gentleness 74% connected

The quality or state of being gentle, well-born, mild, benevolent, docile, etc.; gentility; softness of manners, disposition, etc.; mildness.

oewn 2023 15% interchangeable

Open English WordNet records a derivational relationship between these word forms.

Gentleness 74% connected

The quality or state of being gentle, well-born, mild, benevolent, docile, etc.; gentility; softness of manners, disposition, etc.; mildness.

oewn 2023 15% interchangeable

Open English WordNet records a derivational relationship between these word forms.

Grade 74% connected

A step or degree in any series, rank, quality, order; relative position or standing; as, grades of military rank; crimes of every grade; grades of fl…

oewn 2023 15% interchangeable

Open English WordNet records a derivational relationship between these word forms.

Grade 74% connected

A step or degree in any series, rank, quality, order; relative position or standing; as, grades of military rank; crimes of every grade; grades of fl…

oewn 2023 15% interchangeable

Open English WordNet records a derivational relationship between these word forms.

Graduality 74% connected

The state of being gradual; gradualness.

oewn 2023 15% interchangeable

Open English WordNet records a derivational relationship between these word forms.

Graduality 74% connected

The state of being gradual; gradualness.

oewn 2023 15% interchangeable

Open English WordNet records a derivational relationship between these word forms.

Gradualness 74% connected

The quality or state of being gradual; regular progression or gradation; slowness.

oewn 2023 15% interchangeable

Open English WordNet records a derivational relationship between these word forms.

Gradualness 74% connected

The quality or state of being gradual; regular progression or gradation; slowness.

oewn 2023 15% interchangeable

Open English WordNet records a derivational relationship between these word forms.

See also 4

Slow 66% connected

imp. of Slee, to slay. Slew.

oewn 2023 0% interchangeable

Open English WordNet provides this as a see-also lexical relationship.

Slow 66% connected

imp. of Slee, to slay. Slew.

oewn 2023 0% interchangeable

Open English WordNet provides this as a see-also lexical relationship.

Near synonym 1

Slow 92% connected

imp. of Slee, to slay. Slew.

general 78% interchangeable

Gradual overlaps with slow, but its tone, intensity or usual context may differ. Check the definition before substituting it.

Antonym 4

Steep 94% connected

Bright; glittering; fiery.

oewn 2023 0% interchangeable

Open English WordNet records these words as lexical opposites.

Steep 94% connected

Bright; glittering; fiery.

oewn 2023 0% interchangeable

Open English WordNet records these words as lexical opposites.

Sudden 94% connected

Happening without previous notice or with very brief notice; coming unexpectedly, or without the common preparation; immediate; instant; speedy.

oewn 2023 0% interchangeable

Open English WordNet records these words as lexical opposites.

Sudden 94% connected

Happening without previous notice or with very brief notice; coming unexpectedly, or without the common preparation; immediate; instant; speedy.

oewn 2023 0% interchangeable

Open English WordNet records these words as lexical opposites.

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Words connected by meaning

Their definitions overlap or refer to similar ideas. Use these to widen your search, then compare the exact meanings.