incrementalism
noun
in·cre·men·tal·ism ˌiŋ-krə-ˈmen-tə-ˌli-zəm 
: a policy or advocacy of a policy of political or social change by degrees : gradualism
incrementalist
ˌiŋ-krə-ˈmen-tə-list
noun 
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web Recent Supreme Court decisions may represent a shift away from Chief Justice John Roberts' incrementalism to a much faster rightward turn. 
Joey Garrison, USA TODAY, 27 June 2022 But there was a divide in the movement between those who argued for incrementalism and those who wanted the frontal assault. New York Times, 25 June 2022 The reality is that Thatcher’s premiership was marked not just by iron determination and ideological mission but by political pragmatism, incrementalism, diplomatic failure abroad, and widespread public loathing at home. Tom Mctague, The Atlantic, 24 Apr. 2022 After the invasion, our response has been better, but it's still been characterized a bit by incrementalism. CBS News, 2 Mar. 2022 Leeba was frustrated by how many healthcare leaders and organizations wanted to drive change, innovation and transformation, but then got stuck in the usual cycles of incrementalism and consensus-building. Sachin H. Jain, Forbes, 18 Jan. 2022 Progressives and their media allies preached incrementalism, moderation and bipartisanship when Republicans were in control. Bobby Jindal, WSJ, 20 Dec. 2021 In a globalized world, this kind of provincialism and incrementalism has merit. Tom Mctague, The Atlantic, 2 Nov. 2021 In an era crying out for radical thinking, Packer offers the damp squib of incrementalism. Aaron Timms, The New Republic, 13 Sep. 2021 See More
Joey Garrison, USA TODAY, 27 June 2022 But there was a divide in the movement between those who argued for incrementalism and those who wanted the frontal assault. New York Times, 25 June 2022 The reality is that Thatcher’s premiership was marked not just by iron determination and ideological mission but by political pragmatism, incrementalism, diplomatic failure abroad, and widespread public loathing at home. Tom Mctague, The Atlantic, 24 Apr. 2022 After the invasion, our response has been better, but it's still been characterized a bit by incrementalism. CBS News, 2 Mar. 2022 Leeba was frustrated by how many healthcare leaders and organizations wanted to drive change, innovation and transformation, but then got stuck in the usual cycles of incrementalism and consensus-building. Sachin H. Jain, Forbes, 18 Jan. 2022 Progressives and their media allies preached incrementalism, moderation and bipartisanship when Republicans were in control. Bobby Jindal, WSJ, 20 Dec. 2021 In a globalized world, this kind of provincialism and incrementalism has merit. Tom Mctague, The Atlantic, 2 Nov. 2021 In an era crying out for radical thinking, Packer offers the damp squib of incrementalism. Aaron Timms, The New Republic, 13 Sep. 2021 See More Word History
First Known Use
1966, in the meaning defined above