1
as in step
a very small distance or degree
give them an inch, and they'll take a mile
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
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
Examples 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
Bay Area News Group, The Mercury News, 11 Nov. 2024
An additional 2 to 4 inches of rainfall are expected into Thursday morning across parts of western Cuba, amounting to 12 inches of total accumulations from the storm.
—Marlene Lenthang, NBC News, 7 Nov. 2024
Chase Hunter, The Mercury News, 15 Nov. 2024
Other heavily Democratic-leaning areas also inched towards Trump, including Prince George’s County, Baltimore City and Baltimore County.
Garrett County, the lone county that did not show improvement for Trump, continued a very slight trend away from the former president.
—Taylor Nichols, Baltimore Sun, 14 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for inch 
Noun
Two to 6 inches of snow is forecast at Sierra Nevada passes, the National Weather Service said.
—Bay Area News Group, The Mercury News, 11 Nov. 2024
An additional 2 to 4 inches of rainfall are expected into Thursday morning across parts of western Cuba, amounting to 12 inches of total accumulations from the storm.
—Marlene Lenthang, NBC News, 7 Nov. 2024
Verb
Alameda County District 5 constituents inched closer to learning who their new supervisor will be after a ballot drop showing Oakland city council President Nikki Fortunato Bas taking a 106-vote lead over Emeryville councilmember John Bauters on Friday.
—Chase Hunter, The Mercury News, 15 Nov. 2024
Other heavily Democratic-leaning areas also inched towards Trump, including Prince George’s County, Baltimore City and Baltimore County.
Garrett County, the lone county that did not show improvement for Trump, continued a very slight trend away from the former president.
—Taylor Nichols, Baltimore Sun, 14 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for inch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inch
Noun
-
The end result was a breathtaking journey through 17 years’ worth of musical eras that found the star connecting with her fans at every step along the way.Ed Masley, The Arizona Republic, 7 Dec. 2024
-
This is where your research from step two comes in.Cepee Tabibian, Contributor, CNBC, 7 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
Remember the 2021 Oscars when Will Smith walked on stage and slapped Chris Rock on prime-time television?Dr. Marcus Collins, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2024
-
As Newsweek reported on Tuesday, the incoming president has replaced Biden on the world stage as the focal point in foreign policy discussions, making key appointments and having discussions with allies and adversaries to lay the groundwork for his agenda.Dan Perry, Newsweek, 18 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
Her vision for the team is clear: to build a culture of excellence that honors the franchise’s history while pushing it toward new heights.Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 9 Dec. 2024
-
The price of typical luxury hotels and resorts is reaching eye-watering heights.Doug Gollan, Forbes, 9 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
But there's also a fear that drones can encroach upon personal privacy.Frank Witsil, Detroit Free Press, 16 Dec. 2024
-
For the financial industry, the specter of companies like Walmart encroaching on their turf has loomed large.Sridhar Natarajanand Jaewon Kang Bloomberg News (WPNS), arkansasonline.com, 13 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
When the crime bosses checked in for their table assignments, they were arrested and dragged away so as not to tip off the next suspect.Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 13 Dec. 2024
-
Wray said stepping down is the right thing to do for the FBI and will help avoid dragging it deeper into the fray, NPR's Ryan Lucas tells Up First.Brittney Melton, NPR, 12 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
After the accident in October, Lula was left with a cut on the back of his head, slightly above his neck.Joseph Epstein, Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2024
-
But the coup de gras on the final night might been the sight of policemen on horses that were adorned by giant friendship bracelets around their necks.Chris Willman, Variety, 9 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
The chapter on work is particularly relevant in a post-pandemic world, where hybrid work has become the new norm.Charlie Fink, Forbes, 16 Dec. 2024
-
Enthusiasts are eagerly speculating about new chapters in the expansive Dutton universe that could keep the show’s legacy alive.Tiffany Acosta, The Arizona Republic, 16 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
Some sailors clung to mooring lines, crawling across to find safety.Frank Witsil, Detroit Free Press, 6 Dec. 2024
-
The creature then rips her mouth open and crawls inside.EW Staff, EW.com, 5 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near inch
Cite this Entry
“Inch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inch. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share