na-adjective
gradual; progressive; incremental
Describes a process of destruction, dismantlement, erosion, or decline that happens little by little, often without a clear decisive moment. Frequently used with nouns like 破壊 (destruction) or 解体 (dismantlement).
その制度はなし崩し的に廃止された。
The system was gradually abolished.
なし崩し的な値上げが続いている。
Incremental price increases are continuing.
From なし崩し (nashikuzushi), literally 'crumbling without a trace' or 'piecemeal repayment', plus the adjectival suffix 的 (-teki). The exact historical derivation of なし崩し is uncertain; it may relate to 済し崩し (nashikuzushi), an old term for paying off a debt little by little.