piecemeal

1 of 2

adverb

piece·​meal ˈpēs-ˌmēl 

-ˈmēl

1

: one piece at a time : gradually

2

: in pieces or fragments : apart

piecemeal

2 of 2

adjective

: done, made, or accomplished piece by piece or in a fragmentary way

piecemeal reforms in the system

Synonyms

Adverb

• gradationally
• gradually
• inchmeal
• little by little
• piece by piece

Adjective

• gradational
• gradual
• incremental
• phased
• step-by-step

Examples of piecemeal in a Sentence

Adverb

remodeled their house piecemeal because of budgetary constraints

one well-aimed blow ripped the piñata piecemeal

Adjective

They've done piecemeal repairs in the past, but the bridge now needs major reconstruction.

Some people want the changes to be made all at once, but I think we should take a more piecemeal approach.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adverb

Despite its power as a tool to mislead, efforts to regulate it have been piecemeal or delayed, a gap that could have the greatest impact on lower-profile races down the ballot. —Alena Botros, Fortune, 17 June 2024

After all the hubbub of the arrests, a year later, the four defendants closest to the scheme have pleaded guilty piecemeal to lesser charges. —Téa Kvetenadze, New York Daily News, 16 June 2024

Adjective

What has emerged in the decades since is a welter of backlogs, visa shortages, piecemeal enforcement measures, and every manner of bureaucratic complexity. —Jonathan Blitzer, The New Yorker, 30 June 2024

The company offers comprehensive transportation services that transcend piecemeal offerings on the market and ensure clients travel in style. —Brianna Kamienski, USA TODAY, 25 June 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Adverb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1593, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

piecemeal

1 of 2 adverb

piece·​meal ˈpē-ˌsmēl 

1

: one piece at a time : gradually

2

: in pieces : apart

piecemeal

2 of 2 adjective

: done, made, or accomplished piece by piece or in an incomplete way

piecemeal reforms