- bit-by-bit, in small stages, piecemeal, step-by-step, stepwise - one thing at a time
Antonym: sudden (indirect, via gradual)
- piecemeal, little by little, bit by bit, in stages - a little bit at a time; "the research structure has developed piecemeal"
- gradually, bit by bit, step by step - in a gradual manner; "the snake moved gradually toward its victim"