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
The highest snowfall amounts are expected to fall across the Smokies, with 4-6 inches expected. Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 20 Mar. 2025 At its thickest point, the iron band measures about 2.5 inches in diameter and is decorated with a row of dots, officials said. Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 20 Mar. 2025
Verb
As the mom of three gently scratches his fur, her loyal companion is in awe, wagging his tail and inching closer, seemingly mesmerized by the tiny new addition to the family. Mark Davis, Newsweek, 14 Mar. 2025 But the unemployment rate inched up to 4.1%, despite a shrinking workforce. Scott Horsley, NPR, 7 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for inch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inch
Noun
  • The forward-thinking company stands out for handling every step, from sourcing and warehousing to direct delivery using its fleet of trucks and team of drivers.
    Chris Gallagher, USA TODAY, 19 Mar. 2025
  • Your favorite small-screen monster mash is one step closer to being back in your eyeballs.
    Matt Webb Mitovich, TVLine, 19 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • During its operation, generative AI guzzles electricity in two stages, requiring warehouse-size data centers to house the necessary computing.
    The Editors, Scientific American, 18 Mar. 2025
  • The four-day Lollapalooza music festival will be July 31 to Aug. 3 in Grant Park, with more than 170 bands on eight stages.
    Doug George, Chicago Tribune, 18 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • The senior guard was determined to make his mark on the program, motivated to take his team to new heights.
    Steve Millar, Chicago Tribune, 21 Mar. 2025
  • This pillow has two height options to dial in the perfect amount of neck support.
    Miles Walls, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • The program also gives their families seeds to start home gardens to cultivate Gullah land connections that have been lost to time, off-island migration, and encroaching development.
    Cynthia R. Greenlee, Bon Appétit, 28 Feb. 2025
  • Although initially unclear how the building collapsed, researchers are pointing to encroaching groundwater damage as a possible reason, the Technical University of Munich’s Fouad said.
    Mostafa Salem, CNN, 27 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • The Steelers have shown little urgency, both before free agency and now as the Rodgers saga drags on, to sign Wilson.
    Mike DeFabo, The Athletic, 14 Mar. 2025
  • JPMorgan analysts expect Tesla’s woes to continue, predicting the company’s weakest quarter for car deliveries since 2022 as Elon Musk’s divisive role in the Trump Administration drags on the EV maker’s performance.
    Danielle Chemtob, Forbes, 13 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • This pillow has two height options to dial in the perfect amount of neck support.
    Miles Walls, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Mar. 2025
  • Bryan Danielson's wrestling career faces uncertainty due to a severe neck injury.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 21 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • The Ukrainian combat medic disappeared aged 33 in Mariupol, the eastern Ukrainian city that was then under siege in one of the bloodiest chapters in the Russian war against Ukraine.
    Daria Tarasova-Markina, CNN, 16 Mar. 2025
  • And even though the refs reset the clock to 0.4 seconds, requiring someone to tip away Maryland’s desperation pass to close it out, add another chapter to the continuing story of fantastic finishes in March.
    Michael Marot, Chicago Tribune, 16 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • In 1504, Christopher Columbus, on his fourth trans-Atlantic voyage, was stranded on the shores of Jamaica, with his ships crawling with marine worms and his crew hungry.
    Jamie Carter, Space.com, 10 Mar. 2025
  • If no shelter is available, crawl to an interior wall away from windows.
    Don Sweeney, Sacramento Bee, 9 Mar. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Inch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inch. Accessed 25 Mar. 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!