1. relating to or advocating gradualism; proceeding or changing by small, incremental steps rather than sudden or radical change
Usage: often used in philosophical, political, or scientific contexts

Examples

• The gradualistic approach to education reform involved implementing changes over several years rather than all at once.
• Evolutionists debate whether change is gradualistic or occurs in sudden bursts.
• The government took a gradualistic stance on environmental policy, making small adjustments annually.
• Some critics argue that a gradualistic strategy for social change moves too slowly.
• The gradualistic model assumes that complex systems develop through many small modifications.