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

Instead of piecemeal infill developments and replacement of mini-malls and other relatively small buildings with huge high-rises containing hundreds of apartments and a few stores, this plan could have seen an entire new city plopped down on open space and farmland. —Thomas Elias, The Mercury News, 25 Oct. 2024

And people can also find Canyon Ranch-like offerings piecemeal from concierge doctors or via other programs, like at Mayo Clinic. —David Oliver, USA TODAY, 15 Oct. 2024

Adjective

The piecemeal nature of legalization, absence of national regulation, and lack of public awareness has contributed to the uncertainty around marijuana use and its long-term consequences. —Marin Cogan, Vox, 4 Nov. 2024

Nebraska is just one of two states that uses a piecemeal approach to allocating electoral votes instead of a winner-takes-all approach. —Sara Dorn, Forbes, 4 Nov. 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