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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Recent Examples of gradient
Its background, a pale yellow gradient, still gives me a slight frisson, like a Playboy issue hidden under the bed.
—
Kyle Chayka, New Yorker, 30 Apr. 2025
His lab found that the cells along this gradient could sense the varying levels of oxygen, which triggered a series of biochemical alterations.
—Carrie Arnold, Quanta Magazine, 21 Apr. 2025
The edition joins a series of artist collaborations that sound similarly impossible and exacting, including the Supreme luggage that was made from 200-plus pieces, and the Alex Israel luggage that blushes like an L.A. sunset, a gentle gradient that required anodized aluminum.
—Elisa Wouk Almino, Los Angeles Times, 21 Apr. 2025
That heat bulge is increasing the temperature gradient in areas near some of the busiest flight paths, including transatlantic routes.
—ArsTechnica, 7 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for gradient
Kyle Chayka, New Yorker, 30 Apr. 2025
His lab found that the cells along this gradient could sense the varying levels of oxygen, which triggered a series of biochemical alterations.
—Carrie Arnold, Quanta Magazine, 21 Apr. 2025
The edition joins a series of artist collaborations that sound similarly impossible and exacting, including the Supreme luggage that was made from 200-plus pieces, and the Alex Israel luggage that blushes like an L.A. sunset, a gentle gradient that required anodized aluminum.
—Elisa Wouk Almino, Los Angeles Times, 21 Apr. 2025
That heat bulge is increasing the temperature gradient in areas near some of the busiest flight paths, including transatlantic routes.
—ArsTechnica, 7 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for gradient
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gradient
Noun
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Eleven days later, the Chinese team returned to the high slopes to make another attempt.—
Jenny Hall,
CNN Money,
14 May 2025
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Over the past several years, the resort has experienced significant growth through a three-year ski expansion project, which added new slopes, lifts and advanced snowmaking technology, driving an increase in winter guest visits.—
Roger Sands,
Forbes.com,
9 May 2025
Noun
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Analysts also see an inclination among some officials to keep certain communications private, not just from spies but also from government recordkeeping.—
Anna Mulrine Grobe,
Christian Science Monitor,
8 May 2025
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Conveniently dovetailing into some of the notions offered this weekend to Trump at Mar-a-Lago by Oscar-winner Voight and his team, Newsom’s pitch of a national tax incentive for big screen and small screen production is clearly aimed to appeal to Trump’s bigger-is-better inclinations.—
Dominic Patten,
Deadline,
5 May 2025
Noun
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Sleeping at an incline may also offer some degree of respiratory support, notes Brady.—
Caroline C. Boyle,
USA Today,
17 May 2025
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If your goal is to engage more muscle groups, the treadmill may be the better option, especially when running or walking at an incline.—
Julie Scott,
Verywell Health,
13 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Gradient.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gradient. Accessed 24 May. 2025.
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