piecemeal
In small increments
Piecemeal means done in pieces rather than all at once—gradually, bit by bit, without a unified plan.
The word works as both adverb and adjective: The reforms were implemented piecemeal, a piecemeal approach to solving the problem.
It often carries a slightly negative connotation, suggesting something incomplete or haphazard rather than systematic.
Proceeding by small additions
- stepwiseProceeding by degrees
- progressiveFavoring reform and innovation
- bit-by-bitIn gradual increments
- phasedIntroduced or removed incrementally
sequential · cumulative · iterative · staged · measured · systematic · methodical · steady
Lacking orderly sequence
- disconnectedSeparated from a source
- scatteredSpread irregularly about
- jumbledDisordered, lacking arrangement
- disorganizedLacking systematic arrangement
haphazard · patchy · uncoordinated · disunified · incoherent · unsystematic · erratic · random
Favoring one side
- unfinishedNot yet complete
- fragmentaryConsisting of incomplete parts
- half-donePartially completed, abandoned midway
- sketchyIncomplete or suspicious
rudimentary · provisional · rough · undone · imperfect · deficient · inadequate · lacking
Inlaid pictorial arrangement
- collageAssembled mixed-media artwork
- assemblageCollected group of things
- compositeMade of distinct parts
- hodgepodgeConfused, disorderly mixture
medley · mishmash · potpourri · bricolage · montage · conglomeration · jumble · pastiche
Occurring at irregular intervals
- irregularDeviating from normal patterns
- occasionalHappening at intervals
- scatteredSpread irregularly about
- discontinuousHaving breaks or gaps
episodic · fitful · spasmodic · desultory · on-and-off · unpredictable · inconsistent · infrequent
incremental
Proceeding by small additions
- stepwiseProceeding by degrees
- progressiveFavoring reform and innovation
- bit-by-bitIn gradual increments
phased · sequential · cumulative · iterative · staged · measured · systematic · methodical · steady · evolutionary
disjointed
Lacking orderly sequence
- disconnectedSeparated from a source
- scatteredSpread irregularly about
- jumbledDisordered, lacking arrangement
disorganized · haphazard · patchy · uncoordinated · disunified · incoherent · unsystematic · erratic · random · uneven
partial
Favoring one side
- unfinishedNot yet complete
- fragmentaryConsisting of incomplete parts
- half-donePartially completed, abandoned midway
sketchy · rudimentary · provisional · rough · undone · imperfect · deficient · inadequate · lacking · patchy
mosaic
Inlaid pictorial arrangement
- collageAssembled mixed-media artwork
- assemblageCollected group of things
- compositeMade of distinct parts
hodgepodge · medley · mishmash · potpourri · bricolage · montage · conglomeration · jumble · pastiche · quilt
intermittent
Occurring at irregular intervals
- irregularDeviating from normal patterns
- occasionalHappening at intervals
- scatteredSpread irregularly about
discontinuous · episodic · fitful · spasmodic · desultory · on-and-off · unpredictable · inconsistent · infrequent · staggered
- incompleteincomplete, unfinished, partial, fragmentary, half-done
- gradual phrasesbit by bit, little by little, step by step, one by one, inch by inch
- fragmentsfragment, shard, splinter, shards, sliver
- infrequencyrarely, seldom, infrequent, infrequently, occasionally
- disorderedchaotic, disorganized, disordered, jumbled, messy
piecemealwholesale
Bulk sales to merchants
whole · complete · entirely · completely · totally
piecemealsuddenly
Without prior indication
abruptly · all at once · sudden · abrupt · instantaneously
piecemealsystematically
In organized, planned fashion
methodically · coordinated · organized · planned · comprehensive