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

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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

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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
Try to take up most of the floor space, with about 12 inches left around the edges to the walls. Heather Bien, Southern Living, 2 Apr. 2025 Heavenly Mountain reported 12 inches in the past 24 hours, bringing its seasonal snowfall total to 223 inches. David Caraccio, Sacbee.com, 1 Apr. 2025
Verb
Since then, while childhood obesity rates are still inching up, the rate of increase has declined. Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 4 Apr. 2025 Texas Attorney General appears to be inching closer to formally announcing a challenge to longtime GOP Senator John Cornyn in what could become a tense primary race next year. Andrew Stanton, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for inch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inch
Noun
  • The technology giant has taken a number of steps to mitigate the impact of President Trump's steep tariffs on China.
    Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Get started with a pallet of pewter square concrete step stones.
    Christopher Murray, FOXNews.com, 10 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • On a Thursday night in late February, friends and fans huddle around the small stage, while Badgley sits in the back holding their four year-old son, who is fast asleep.
    Kate Branch, Vogue, 10 Apr. 2025
  • But momentous events from beyond the stage hovered, too: In February, well after all 5,000 tickets had been sold for our two-night stand, Donald Trump dismissed multiple members of the Kennedy Center board and installed himself as the institution’s chairman.
    Ryan Miller, The Atlantic, 10 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • That united display of fealty reflected Big Tech’s hopes that Trump would be more accommodating than President Biden’s administration and help propel an already booming industry to even greater heights.
    Mae Anderson and Michael Liedtke, Los Angeles Times, 12 Apr. 2025
  • Hanging Your Curtain Rods Too Low One thing that can dramatically increase the feeling of space in your room is hanging your curtains at the right height.
    Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 12 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • This demon used to be a giant boar, but was driven mad after being shot with an iron bullet, a sign that civilization is irreversibly encroaching on the natural world.
    Dani Di Placido, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025
  • Brenda Deal, who wants to sell her house there, learned her garage and shed might be encroaching on the right of way, based on GIS maps.
    Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 30 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Paleontologists used to wonder if some marine reptiles did the same, awkwardly dragging themselves onto beaches to lay eggs rather than birthing their young at sea like whales do.
    Riley Black, Smithsonian Magazine, 17 Apr. 2025
  • The longer the trade war drags on, the more likely Washington and Beijing will find other ways to retaliate beyond economics.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Designed for use below the neck, these tools help alleviate tension and strain on areas of your body that are more prone to stress than your face.
    Allure, Allure, 14 Apr. 2025
  • Around his neck hung a St. Michael medal, which he was given at birth.
    Alexandra Schwartz, New Yorker, 13 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The game’s bizarre ending added a new chapter to this old battle.
    Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 15 Mar. 2025
  • She is then sent on her way, earmuffs and all, to start her next chapter with Lumon Industries.
    Greta Cross, USA TODAY, 15 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Simply fill the moat with water to keep unwanted pests from crawling down to the nectar ports.
    Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 12 Apr. 2025
  • And setting your baby down on the ground to crawl around isn’t the cleanest option.
    BestReviews, Mercury News, 11 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Inch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inch. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.

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