LITTLE BY LITTLE Synonyms: 22 Similar and Opposite Words

little by little

adverb

Definition of little by little

as in gradually

by small steps or amounts little by little, we pieced together the jigsaw puzzle

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Example Sentences

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Recent Examples of little by little And little by little, Venezuela slipped off the front pages — even though, for millions of people, the work of rebuilding is just getting started. — Cristina Guevara, The Orlando Sentinel, 17 July 2026 And each time another first-time climber reaches the top, the applause rising from the rocks below suggests that, little by little, that community is growing. — Illia Novikov, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026 Work on it all summer, adding to it little by little. — Parents, 11 June 2026 Practice is super important to build the pace little by little. — Madeline Coleman, New York Times, 4 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for little by little

Recent Examples of Synonyms for little by little

gradually

Adverb

Once synonymous with industry—Renault operated its enormous factory here for much of the 20th century—the island has been gradually reinventing itself as a cultural district.

— Alessia Armenise, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Oct. 2026
China has opened much of its financial sector to foreign firms since 2018, gradually lifting foreign ownership caps on services such as securities, futures and fund management.

— Anniek Bao, CNBC, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of gradually

Browse Nearby Words

little bitty

little by little

little guy

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“Little by little.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/little%20by%20little. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of little by little

adverb

Example Sentences

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