increasing by successive addition; "the benefits are cumulative"; "the eventual accumulative effect of these substances
If something is accumulative, it becomes greater in amount, number, or intensity over a period of time. The consensus is that risk factors have an accumulative effect. = cumulative. gradually increasing in amount or degree over a period of time = cumulative
marked by acquiring or amassing; "we live in an accumulative society" increasing by successive addition; "the benefits are cumulative"; "the eventual accumulative effect of these substances