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Definitions

by degrees

ADVERB
step by step
Synonyms
WEAK
a little at a time bit by bit continuously drop by drop gradually in small doses inch by inch little by little piece by piece steadily

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Sir Geoffrey said: "Both government and the BBC should seriously think about how the World Service's influence can be bolstered around the world, rather than risk its reach withering by degrees year on year."

From BBC • Mar. 12, 2026

This broke down by degrees, critically in the Sicilian Expedition of 415-413 B.C., when Athens tried and failed to annex Syracuse, a Spartan ally.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 21, 2025

Arti Gollapudi plays all three of Deepali’s older sisters, for example, differing mainly by degrees of uptightness.

From New York Times • Nov. 20, 2023

Their comments were by degrees somewhat less offensive than those of Martinez.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 10, 2022

And really, after a day or two of confusion worse confounded, it was delightful by degrees to invoke order from the chaos ourselves had made.

From "Jane Eyre" by Charlotte Brontë