The larger reality is that these circumstances have arisen due to the gradual withdrawal of Federal funding to local governments over the past 10 years.

He will accept a gradual withdrawal but wants a timetable, he says.

Never mind that an independent bipartisan panel will be calling for a gradual withdrawal of troops.

Typically, there are two ways to make gradual withdrawals.

The British commenced a gradual withdrawal of their military presence.

Later in the period, the northern region of the state was exposed as dry land by the gradual withdrawal of the sea.

Surveys found that most preferred a gradual withdrawal over time to an immediate pullout.

The death of his mother in 1917, however, intensified his gradual withdrawal from the world.

Indeed, some argue for gradual withdrawal of support from this sector altogether.

The most likely outcome is that we'll see a gradual withdrawal to the bases.