inch 1 of 2

1
2
as in stage
an individual part of a process, series, or ranking inch by inch, we're making progress toward our fund-raising goal

Synonyms & Similar Words

3
as in height
inches plural the distance of something or someone from bottom to top made the most of her inches by standing on her tiptoes to reach the top shelf

Synonyms & Similar Words

inch

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to encroach
to advance gradually beyond the usual or desirable limits every year the water inches further up the embankments, threatening to permanently engulf the island city

Synonyms & Similar Words

2

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of inch
Noun
Winter storm warnings have been issued for 12 states, with up to 48 inches of snow expected on Saturday. Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 1 Feb. 2025 Each candle is 11 inches and comes in a set of two. Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Feb. 2025
Verb
Win those and pull off a surprise on the road — UCLA has games this month at No. 23 Illinois and No. 7 Purdue — and the Bruins will inch up the seed line. Lindsay Schnell, The Athletic, 5 Feb. 2025 Just as a yellow cab turned right into the intersection, the idling truck inched forward, seemingly preparing for a wide right turn onto E. 169th St., the video shows. Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 3 Feb. 2025 See all Example Sentences for inch 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inch
Noun
  • The next step is the big one: Greenland would then apply for statehood in the U.S. Voilà!
    Steve Forbes, Forbes, 11 Feb. 2025
  • Monday's successful flight took the company a big step closer to making that happen.
    Mike Wall, Space.com, 11 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • With each show, the energy only intensified, keeping the momentum strong and setting the stage for fashion’s burgeoning and seasoned talent.
    Mecca Pryor, Essence, 10 Feb. 2025
  • David Johansen — the sole surviving founding member of the New York Dolls and a solo artist who also performs as the lounge singer Buster Poindexter — is suffering from stage four cancer, a brain tumor and a broken back, and is seeking financial assistance through the Sweet Relief Musicians Fund.
    A.D. Amorosi, Variety, 10 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • The Russian envoy’s comments are the latest sign of deepening ties between the two countries, which have recently reached heights unseen since the Cold War.
    Edward Szekeres, CNN, 11 Feb. 2025
  • Jimmy Fallon is about the same height as Tim was in 8th grade.
    Tony Maglio, IndieWire, 11 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • The Nissan crossed the left travel lane in front of the black sedan, then encroached into the center lane, occupied by the Hyundai, causing the collision, the warrant affidavit said.
    Staff report, Hartford Courant, 8 Feb. 2025
  • Flames encroached on the trees where butterflies roosted and, while the tree grove remains standing but singed, the status of butterflies is unclear.
    Anton Sorokin, Smithsonian Magazine, 5 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • When users click and drag their cursor across the screen, random clusters of letters appear, followed by sentences that flash briefly before disappearing.
    Mitchell Peters, Billboard, 17 Feb. 2025
  • Swansea City have sacked head coach Luke Williams following a poor run of results since the turn of the year that has dragged the Championship club into a relegation battle.
    Stuart James, The Athletic, 17 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • Listen to this article A former Merrillville man was sentenced Friday to 3.5 years in prison for fatally stabbing a man in the neck outside a Merrillville hotel in August 2023.
    Meredith Colias-Pete, Chicago Tribune, 14 Feb. 2025
  • She is also said to have had marks on her neck and hemorrhaging in her eyes.
    Scott Thompson, Fox News, 14 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • In Pablo Larraín’s Maria Callas biopic, which is now streaming on Netflix, Jolie stepped into the shoes of the opera legend, portraying the final chapter of the singer's life in Paris leading up to her death in 1977.
    Bailey Richards, People.com, 8 Feb. 2025
  • In a chapter about a rare lung disease, the author commented that perhaps a cure could be discovered as quickly as the cure for tuberculosis was found at Sea View Hospital on Staten Island in the 1950s.
    Emilie Le Beau Lucchesi, Discover Magazine, 8 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • The victim suffered serious injuries but managed to crawl out of the woods and get help from a passerby, according to court records.
    Staff report, Hartford Courant, 14 Feb. 2025
  • If no shelter is available, crawl to an interior wall away from windows.
    Daniella Segura, Sacramento Bee, 13 Feb. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near inch

Cite this Entry

“Inch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inch. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on inch

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!