Definition

Noun: 1. The quality of being gradual or of coming about by gradual stages: The characteristic of something that happens, changes, or develops slowly and in small increments over time, rather than suddenly or abruptly. 2. The property possessed by a slope that is very gradual: The characteristic of an incline that is very slight, gentle, or not steep.

Usage and Examples

• The gradualness of climate change makes its immediate effects difficult for many people to perceive.
• She appreciated the gradualness of her recovery, as it allowed her body to adjust properly.
• The gradualness of the hill made it easy for the cyclists to climb.
• The success of the policy was due in part to the gradualness of its implementation.

Advanced Usage

• Conceptual Use: The term can be used abstractly to describe processes in nature, society, or personal development.
  • The gradualness of evolutionary processes is a key concept in biology.
• In Contrast to Abruptness: Often used to highlight a difference from sudden change.
  • The report emphasized the gradualness of the economic decline, which contrasted with the sudden financial crash of a decade earlier.

Variants and Related Words

• Gradual (adjective): Happening or changing slowly over a period of time.
  • We observed a gradual increase in temperature.
• Gradually (adverb): In a gradual way; slowly.
  • The sky gradually darkened.
• Gradient (noun): An inclined part of a road or railway; a slope. (This relates specifically to the second definition concerning physical slope).
  • The truck struggled with the steep gradient.

Synonyms

• Graduality: (Formal) The quality of being gradual.
• Slowness: The quality of moving or happening at a low speed.
• Gentleness (regarding slope): The quality of not being steep or harsh.
• Incremental nature: The characteristic of proceeding by small, regular steps.

Antonyms

• Abruptness: The quality of being sudden and unexpected.
• Suddenness: The quality of happening quickly and without warning.
• Steepness (regarding slope): The quality of rising or falling sharply.

Noun

1. the quality of being gradual or of coming about by gradual stages
2. the property possessed by a slope that is very gradual