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cumulative
/ˈkjuːmjʊlətɪv/
This term describes a snowball effect where each new addition builds upon everything that came before it. It suggests a gradual but steady buildup that leads to a significant final result, often implying that the total is more impactful than any single individual part. In professional or legal settings, it carries a sense of compounding weight. It is frequently used to describe risks, errors, or advantages that grow more powerful as they stack up, creating a sense of inevitability or overwhelming scale.
Meanings
Increasing or growing by accumulation or successive additions.
"The cumulative effect of the pollution became evident over a decade."