as in gradual
proceeding or changing by steps or degrees
a piecemeal attempt to remedy the traffic congestion
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1
as in gradually
by small steps or amounts
remodeled their house piecemeal because of budgetary constraints
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Recent Examples of piecemeal
Rita Numerof, Forbes.com, 10 June 2025
Ironically enough, the #Resistance that replaced Trump in 2021 largely kept his tariff regime in place, with piecemeal exemptions for the U.K., Japan, and the European Union.
—Tiana Lowe Doescher, The Washington Examiner, 6 June 2025
Renuka Rayasam, NPR, 27 June 2025
Basic components like batteries and screens can be replaced piecemeal, but eventually, something will burn out, crack, or just quit, proving much harder to replace.
—Brian Westover, PC Magazine, 10 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for piecemeal
Adjective
And over time, these piecemeal adjustments have created a system so complex that even well-meaning changes produce unintended negative consequences.
—Rita Numerof, Forbes.com, 10 June 2025
Ironically enough, the #Resistance that replaced Trump in 2021 largely kept his tariff regime in place, with piecemeal exemptions for the U.K., Japan, and the European Union.
—Tiana Lowe Doescher, The Washington Examiner, 6 June 2025
Adverb
That led policymakers to add programs piecemeal to make health insurance accessible to more Americans.
—Renuka Rayasam, NPR, 27 June 2025
Basic components like batteries and screens can be replaced piecemeal, but eventually, something will burn out, crack, or just quit, proving much harder to replace.
—Brian Westover, PC Magazine, 10 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for piecemeal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for piecemeal
Adjective
-
International teams are generally spaced by four years, with youth teams graduating together, contending for some time, then being replaced via gradual onboarding of their successors.—
Megan Feringa,
New York Times,
22 July 2025
-
Wildfires in northern Arizona, including near the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, saw gradual containment efforts.—
Rey Covarrubias Jr,
AZCentral.com,
21 July 2025
Adverb
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Brammall will star as police detective Ian Hunt, whose life fell apart ten years ago when his young daughter Maggie disappeared without a trace.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
21 July 2025
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One of the things that sets them apart is their unique inspiration.—
Ronny Maye,
Forbes.com,
21 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Piecemeal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/piecemeal. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.
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