piecemeal
17
7.0
- adjective
- /ˈpiːsˌmiːl/
:
gradual
- The project will be completed piecemeal, with each phase taking several months.
- piecemeal approach
- piecemeal fashion
- piecemeal reform
Examples
-
Popper's alternative to historicism is the piecemeal approach or gradual reform of society.
Academic text (1991) -
Often, however, performance enhancement and counseling services are provided piecemeal with little collaboration between service providers.
Academic text (1994) -
My guess is this is gonna be a piecemeal process.
-
Now, I shall bring you your assignments piecemeal.
-
By the late 1940s, U.S. foreign aid policies operated in a piecemeal fashion.
Academic text (2013) -
In essence, computers have been applied in a piecemeal approach to education.
Academic text (1990) -
The existing range of Northwest initiatives is impressive but still piecemeal in nature.
Academic text (1993) -
Decision-makers tend to approach environmental problems in a piecemeal fashion until a compelling case is made for an ecosystem approach.
Academic text (1997) -
Beijing's moves have been piecemeal, with its top leaders debating in detail the merits of their every decision.
Academic text (2008) -
Clearly, the shifts toward moderation in Reagan's foreign policies were piecemeal and hesitant.
Academic text (1990)
Synonyms
186
1.4
Things happen one after another, not at the same time
34
2.3
Gradually in small amounts over time
23
2.8
Done in separate parts, each finished before the next
23
1.8
In a gradual way, doing each part one after another
12
2.7
A little at a time
5
3.5
You do things gradually, finishing one part before the next
2
6.0
Happens in small steps rather than all at once
1
4.4
Having several stages that happen one after another
You do a little at a time instead of trying everything at once
In separate parts rather than as a whole
Antonyms
How Gradual
Surface Forms
Morphology
Etymology
The word piecemeal comes from piece 'a small part' and meal, an old word meaning 'a small amount' rather than the food 'meal'. So piecemeal means doing something 'piece by piece' in small stages rather than all at once.