I. ˈ ̷ ̷ˌ ̷ ̷ adverb
: in a stepwise manner
II. adjective
1. : marked by or as if by steps : gradual
achieved in a stepwise struggle for social reform — Fritz Tarnow
a stepwise chemical reaction
2. : moving by step to adjacent musical tones
a short melodic line … containing mostly stepwise progressions — Paul Hindemith