Gradation is a term referring to a gradual progression in a thing's degree or intensity. It can be a challenging term to differentiate in writing, as it is similar in meaning to numerous related words. One synonymous term is "gradual," which pertains to something that occurs slowly and steadily. Another is the term "progression," which refers to a set of things that develop or come after one another. "Succession" is another synonym for "gradation" that refers to the process of change or development. "Advance" can also be used interchangeably with "gradation," as it implies the concept of moving progressively forward. Finally, "evolution" is a synonym for "gradation" in describing how something develops and changes over a lengthy period.