graduality
Change by degrees
Graduality is the quality of happening by degrees rather than all at once.
The word emphasizes the slow, incremental nature of a process: The graduality of climate change makes it easy to ignore.
It's the noun form of gradual, less common than "gradualness" but carrying the same meaning.
Proceeding by small additions
- sequentialOccurring in succession
- continuumUninterrupted, gradual sequence
- successionFollowing in order
- stagesDistinct periods or platforms
steps · phases · development · advancement · unfolding · escalation · maturation · accumulation
Lacking in speed
- measuredCarefully considered, unhurried
- unhurriedTaking one's time
- deliberateConsciously chosen, not accidental
- patientAble to wait calmly
methodical · paced · leisurely · gentle · moderate · drawn-out · protracted · prolonged
Without pause or gap
- consistentNot varying or contradicting
- constantFixed, unvarying quantity
- uniformIdentical throughout
- regularOccurring at fixed intervals
stable · sustained · persistent · uninterrupted · even · monotonic · linear · steady
Slight shade of difference
- imperceptibleCannot be sensed
- delicateEasily broken or harmed
- gentleSoft and kind
- softYielding to touch
slight · fine · understated · subdued · faint · mild · modest · restrained
Change from one state
- transformationThorough change in form
- evolutionSpecies changing over generations
- shiftMovement or work period
- adaptationFitting to new conditions
modification · adjustment · metamorphosis · conversion · alteration · morphing · drift · migration
incremental
Proceeding by small additions
- sequentialOccurring in succession
- continuumUninterrupted, gradual sequence
- successionFollowing in order
stages · steps · phases · development · advancement · unfolding · escalation · maturation · accumulation · continuity
slow
Lacking in speed
- measuredCarefully considered, unhurried
- unhurriedTaking one's time
- deliberateConsciously chosen, not accidental
patient · methodical · paced · leisurely · gentle · moderate · drawn-out · protracted · prolonged · extended
continuous
Without pause or gap
- consistentNot varying or contradicting
- constantFixed, unvarying quantity
- uniformIdentical throughout
regular · stable · sustained · persistent · uninterrupted · even · monotonic · linear · steady · unwavering
nuance
Slight shade of difference
- imperceptibleCannot be sensed
- delicateEasily broken or harmed
- gentleSoft and kind
soft · slight · fine · understated · subdued · faint · mild · modest · restrained · sensitive
transition
Change from one state
- transformationThorough change in form
- evolutionSpecies changing over generations
- shiftMovement or work period
adaptation · modification · adjustment · metamorphosis · conversion · alteration · morphing · drift · migration · movement
gradualityabruptness
Sudden, unexpected manner
suddenness · immediacy · precipitousness · instantaneousness · rapidity
gradualityabruptness
Sudden, unexpected manner
discontinuity · discreteness · jumpiness · jerkiness · choppiness