Gradually
Steadily
You're stuck in your car during a tsunami and all you have to break out is an axe. You whack and whack but you're only gradually making progress. You thought an axe would be an easy way to get out of a car but it's not working like you'd planned! You have to make more than gradual progress if you don't want to drown.
ぜん
ようや, やや
None
As you're gradually making your door open with the axe you look up to see the New York Yankees floating by on top of their bus. You yell, "YO YANKEES (ようや) to get their attention. They see your gradual progress and start throwing balls at your car to help dent it open.