He gradually gained, but not quickly enough to suit him.
In the back stretch he gradually gained ground on the early leaders.
I hope that this school of thought can gradually gain the upper hand.
Afghan women gradually gained rights in the first decades of the 20th century.
The term gradually gained a more general meaning of growth or progressive development.
Italy started very slowly but has been gradually gaining strength.
But even there, the metric system is gradually gaining ground.
She gradually gains more power, eventually seizing control of the school.
The Oregon started to move away from the dock and gradually gained speed.
His feet continued to thump as he gradually gained speed.