progressively

[ pruh-gres-iv-lee ]

adverb

1. by degrees or stages; incrementally:

   If the disease remains unchecked, the rate of infection in the herd increases progressively over time.

   Over a five-year period, she became progressively weaker.

2. in a way characterized by or favoring improvement, reform, advances in social policy or conditions, more enlightened ideas, etc.:

   Imagine a political party that actually wants America to be governed progressively.

Other Words From

• non·pro·gres·sive·ly adverb
• qua·si-pro·gres·sive·ly adverb
• sem·i·pro·gres·sive·ly adverb
• ul·tra·pro·gres·sive·ly adverb
• un·pro·gres·sive·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of progressively¹

progressive ( def ) + -ly

Example Sentences

The weather will start to cool down on Saturday as a cold front pushes southwards, with the air turning progressively colder into next week as an Arctic air mass becomes established.

From BBC

He’s averaged more than 10 strikeouts per nine innings in each of his eight seasons and has progressively improved over the last five years, capped by a 1.72 ERA and 22 saves in 2024.

From Los Angeles Times

Hoover and his aides became progressively more fretful about the settlement at Anacostia Flats, especially when its organizers began to talk about making it permanent.

From Los Angeles Times

The rare miscue from the sure-handed utility man did not cost the Dodgers, as the next batter, Jazz Chisholm Jr., grounded out to end the inning, and Edman’s evening got progressively better from there.

From Los Angeles Times

Orange County leaned more Republican when Clinton was in office, Wasserman said, but the region has progressively moved left as it became more diverse.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• constantly
• continuously
• deliberately
• gently
• increasingly
• moderately
• regularly
• steadily