Gradual and Progressive

Gradual

Gradual adjective - Proceeding or changing by steps or degrees.
Usage example: a gradual drop in gas prices will take place over the next several months

Progressive is a synonym for gradual in steady topic. In some cases you can use "Progressive" instead an adjective "Gradual", when it comes to topics like advancing, evenly. popular alternative

Nearby Words: graduate, gradually, gradation, graduation, gradualism

Progressive

Progressive adjective - Being far along in development.

Gradual is a synonym for progressive in liberal topic. You can use "Gradual" instead an adjective "Progressive", if it concerns topics such as advancing. popular alternative

Both words in one sentence

  • Music / Opeth That said, many of the band's transitions are more gradual ("The Drapery Falls" is a good example here, as it builds up steadily to the death metal section in a Bolero Effect-like fashion before transition back to progressive rock somewhat more abruptly).
    Source: Music / Opeth
Cite this Source
Progressive and Gradual. (2016). Retrieved 2026, July 21, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/gradual/progressive
Gradual & Progressive. N.p., 2016. Web. 21 Jul. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/gradual/progressive>.
Progressive or Gradual. 2016. Accessed July 21, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/gradual/progressive.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "gradual" and "progressive" have occurred on timeline