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
Howard Schneider, USA TODAY, 21 Feb. 2025
Taken together, these wins — Beyoncé’s only two of the night, ahead of her third Album of the Year loss — amount to piecemeal honors for one of her most holistic works.
—Justin Curto, Vulture, 3 Feb. 2025
Tor Constantino, Mba, Forbes, 2 Jan. 2025
Funding is fairly piecemeal: A federal grant covers some school districts.
—Kelly Meyerhofer, Journal Sentinel, 18 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for piecemeal
Adjective
The administration's piecemeal approach may in particular be damaging, Fed officials say, as businesses and consumers adjust to an outlook that seems both unpredictable and primed for higher prices.
—Howard Schneider, USA TODAY, 21 Feb. 2025
Taken together, these wins — Beyoncé’s only two of the night, ahead of her third Album of the Year loss — amount to piecemeal honors for one of her most holistic works.
—Justin Curto, Vulture, 3 Feb. 2025
Adverb
These prompts can all be used together or in piecemeal.
—Tor Constantino, Mba, Forbes, 2 Jan. 2025
Funding is fairly piecemeal: A federal grant covers some school districts.
—Kelly Meyerhofer, Journal Sentinel, 18 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for piecemeal
Articles Related to piecemeal
Cite this Entry
“Piecemeal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/piecemeal. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.
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