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gradualism
[ graj-oo-uh-liz-uhm ]
noun
- the principle or policy of achieving some goal by gradual steps rather than by drastic change.
- Philosophy. a theory maintaining that two seemingly conflicting notions are not radically opposed, but are related by others partaking in varying degrees of the character of both.
- Biology. a tenet in evolutionary theory maintaining that species evolve slowly and continuously over long periods of geological time. Compare punctuated equilibrium.
gradualism
/ ˈɡrædjʊəˌlɪzəm /
noun
- the policy of seeking to change something or achieve a goal gradually rather than quickly or violently, esp in politics
- the theory that explains major changes in rock strata, fossils, etc in terms of gradual evolutionary processes rather than sudden violent catastrophes Compare catastrophism
gradualism
/ grăj′o̅o̅-ə-lĭz′əm /
- The theory that new species evolve from existing species through gradual, often imperceptible changes rather than through abrupt, major changes. The small changes are believed to result in perceptible changes over long periods of time.
- Compare punctuated equilibrium
gradualism
- The belief that changes in the Earth , such as the development of species, have taken place slowly, without sudden and violent transitions. ( Compare punctuated equilibrium and catastrophism .)
Derived Forms
- ˈgradualist, nounadjective
- ˌgradualˈistic, adjective
Other Words From
- gradu·al·ist noun adjective
- gradu·al·istic adjective
Word History and Origins
Origin of gradualism1
Compare Meanings
How does gradualism compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:
Example Sentences
During his victory speech on Sunday night, Milei said that “Argentina’s situation is critical. The changes our country needs are drastic. There is no room for gradualism, no room for lukewarm measures.”
“The changes that our country needs are drastic. There is no place for gradualism.”
“Argentina’s situation is critical. The changes our country needs are drastic. There is no room for gradualism, no room for lukewarm measures,” Milei told supporters, who chanted “Liberty, liberty!” and “Let them all leave” in a reference to the country’s political class.
"In their minds, I imagine avoiding a 'decisive end' would be preferable. Gradualism, if possible, is their preference."
In August of 1963, Martin Luther King Jr. famously referred to the "tranquilizing drug of gradualism" to highlight the urgency of seeing continuity between histories of racial injustice and contemporary inequalities.
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