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Pronunciation varies by accent · noun
(biology) The belief that evolution proceeds at a steady pace, without the sudden development of new species or biological features from one generation to the next..
Given enough time, the logic goes, water can cleave solid rock and mountains can be reduced to plains. This "gradualism" now underpins modern geologic thought. ... Maybe we'll find evidence that the rock layers are exposed on the flanks of Mount Sharp [on Mars] not because a river carved through them over millions of years, but because the wind blew against them for billions of years – the ultimate in gradualism.
Use gradualism when its meaning, tone and grammar fit the full sentence. A synonym is not always a direct replacement.
Gradualism means (biology) The belief that evolution proceeds at a steady pace, without the sudden development of new species or biological features from one generation to the next..
The closest synonym depends on the sentence and intended sense.
The opposite depends on the specific sense.
Given enough time, the logic goes, water can cleave solid rock and mountains can be reduced to plains. This "gradualism" now underpins modern geologic thought. ... Maybe we'll find evidence that the rock layers are exposed on the flanks of Mount Sharp [on Mars] not because a river carved through them over millions of years, but because the wind blew against them for billions of years – the ultimate in gradualism.
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