graduality
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun: The quality or state of being gradual; the characteristic of proceeding, changing, or developing by small, incremental steps or degrees over a period of time, rather than suddenly or abruptly.
Usage
The noun "graduality" describes the inherent nature of a process that is slow, steady, and marked by successive stages. It is a formal term often used in academic, scientific, and analytical contexts to discuss the pace and nature of change.
Examples
- The graduality of climate change makes its immediate effects difficult for many people to perceive.
- The study emphasized the graduality of the erosion process along the coastline.
- Successful cultural integration often depends on the graduality of the introduced changes.
Advanced Usage
- Conceptual Use: "Graduality" can be used to discuss abstract processes, such as learning or societal shifts.
- The graduality of skill acquisition requires consistent practice over time.
- In Contrast to Abruptness: It is frequently employed to highlight a difference from sudden or revolutionary change.
- The policy favored graduality over shock therapy for economic reforms.
Variants and Related Words
- Gradual (adjective): Taking place or progressing slowly or by degrees.
- We observed a gradual increase in temperature.
- Gradually (adverb): In a gradual way; slowly over a period of time.
- The sky gradually darkened.
- Gradualism (noun): A policy or theory of achieving a goal, such as social change, through gradual stages rather than sudden change. (Note: This is a related but distinct concept often applied to methods or policies.)
- The political philosophy was one of gradualism.
Synonyms
- Gradualness
- Incrementalism
- Progressiveness
- Steadiness
Antonyms
- Abruptness
- Suddenness
- Immediacy
- Precipitousness
Noun
- the quality of being gradual or of coming about by gradual stages