GRADIENT Synonyms: 26 Similar and Opposite Words

gradient

noun

ˈgrā-dē-ənt

Definition of gradient

as in slope

the degree to which something rises up from a position level with the horizon the path goes up at a pretty steep gradient before leveling off

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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of gradient Why Gradients Are In As far as why gradients are the paint technique of the moment, Studholme has a bit of a theory. — Tessa Cooper, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 July 2026 Myriad uses In the testing, the material was put into extreme temperature gradients, and an infrared camera was used to track heat flow. — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 14 July 2026 The original Östereichring was a spectacular thing, with steep gradients, long straights, and high-speed curves, surrounded by views of the Styrian mountains. — Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 29 June 2026 Schiavo said the Federal Railroad Administration issues national standards on train crossing gradients. — The Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 25 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for gradient

Recent Examples of Synonyms for gradient

Noun

Aragüés learned that one of his former crewmates, who was defending a friend’s house, lost his own home when the fire travelled down a slope next to him.

— M. R. O’Connor, New Yorker, 1 Aug. 2026
Investigators found damaged trees along Rock Branch Road, before the tornado crossed Highway 212 and snapped or uprooted numerous trees along the southward slope of Shelton Laurel Creek and toward Cutshall Town Road.

— Joe Marusak July 31, Charlotte Observer, 31 July 2026

Definition of slope

Noun

The rocket reached an orbit approximately 280 miles (450 kilometers) high at an inclination of 60 degrees to the equator, quite close to preflight predictions.

— Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 24 July 2026
Emery’s inclination for wide forwards is well known, but acutely demonstrated in Garnacho’s case.

— Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 22 July 2026

Definition of inclination

Noun

This portable treadmill is super compact, turning any room into your personal walking track, with a maximum speed of 3 mph controlled via remote and an adjustable incline of 5% or 7%.

— ABC News, ABC News, 1 Aug. 2026
Then, roughly a mile into the trek, the electric assist on Peoples’ mountain wheelchair suddenly stopped working, leaving her to power the remaining miles using only her arms on every incline.

— Jordan Greene, PEOPLE, 29 July 2026

Definition of incline

Browse Nearby Words

grades

gradient

gradients

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“Gradient.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gradient. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of gradient

noun

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