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Inroad is a combination of in and road, both of which are pretty mundane, as far as words go. But the first-and-oldest-meaning of inroad hints at a meaning of road other than the "way for traveling" one. Beginning back in the days of Old English, road referred to an armed hostile incursion made on horseback. (Raid comes from this use of road and also formerly specified incursions on horseback.) Road, as well as inroad, has lost its violent connotation. While inroads are often made at the expense of someone or something, they are at times simply advances, as when an artist is said to be "making inroads into a community."
Examples of inroad in a Sentence
Jordan Novet, CNBC, 3 Apr. 2026
Two years ago, a labor union trying to organize Wells Fargo workers made inroads in North Carolina, home to the bank’s largest employment hub in Charlotte.
—Chase Jordan
april 2, Charlotte Observer, 2 Apr. 2026
O’Neal’s push into the entertainment space via LIFT follows other hoops stars — including brother Shareef — making inroads into film and TV, including launching their own production banners.
—Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 30 Mar. 2026
So, driving a little less, a little slower, a little lighter and with more planning can make inroads in one’s wallet.
—Doug Turnbull, AJC.com, 29 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for inroad
Cite this Entry
“Inroad.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inroad. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
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