stepwise
One stage sequentially
Stepwise means proceeding in steps or stages rather than continuously: a stepwise approach to solving the problem, stepwise regression analysis.
The word appears most often in technical contexts—chemistry, mathematics, music—where processes unfold in discrete increments.
In music, stepwise motion moves to adjacent notes on the scale rather than leaping.
Proceeding by small additions
- gradualDeveloping slowly over time
- sequentialOccurring in succession
- phasedIntroduced or removed incrementally
- progressiveFavoring reform and innovation
systematic · methodical · staged · ordered · iterative · piecemeal · measured · successive
Purpose or duty
- discontinuousHaving breaks or gaps
- constantFixed, unvarying quantity
- piecewiseMulti-rule function definition
- intervalDuration between two points
jump · discrete · graph · plateau · threshold · approximation · integral · summation
Instructional step-by-step guide
- guideLeader or instruction book
- instructionsGuidance on how to proceed
- walkthroughSequential instructional guide
- how-toPractical instruction format
manual · directions · procedure · checklist · lesson · module · breakdown · demonstration
Response to stimulus
- mechanismMeans by which something operates
- synthesisCombining parts into whole
- pathwayDesignated route for travel
- catalysisAccelerating reactions without consumption
intermediate · enzyme · kinetics · biochemical · degradation · oxidation · process · protocol
incremental
Proceeding by small additions
- gradualDeveloping slowly over time
- sequentialOccurring in succession
- phasedIntroduced or removed incrementally
progressive · systematic · methodical · staged · ordered · iterative · piecemeal · measured · successive · graded
function
Purpose or duty
- discontinuousHaving breaks or gaps
- constantFixed, unvarying quantity
- piecewiseMulti-rule function definition
interval · jump · discrete · graph · plateau · threshold · approximation · integral · summation · algorithm
tutorial
Instructional step-by-step guide
- guideLeader or instruction book
- instructionsGuidance on how to proceed
- walkthroughSequential instructional guide
how-to · manual · directions · procedure · checklist · lesson · module · breakdown · demonstration · sequence
reaction
Response to stimulus
- mechanismMeans by which something operates
- synthesisCombining parts into whole
- pathwayDesignated route for travel
catalysis · intermediate · enzyme · kinetics · biochemical · degradation · oxidation · process · protocol · procedure
- gradual phrasesbit by bit, little by little, one by one, piece by piece, inch by inch
- Multi-stage processesphases, progression, workflow, sequential, incremental
- cautioncareful, be careful, cautious, caution, watch out
- one after anotherin a row, in order, one by one, back-to-back, in turn
- regressionlinear regression, least squares, residuals, residual, r-squared
stepwisesudden
Occurring without prior notice
abrupt · instantaneous · immediate · all at once · at a stroke
step, steps, footstep, sidestep, stepping, doorstep, misstep, stepped, footsteps