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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of inch
Izzy Baskette, PEOPLE, 2 Apr. 2026
Rain chances are at 50 percent with new rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, with higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
—Garfield Hylton, The Orlando Sentinel, 2 Apr. 2026
Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Mar. 2026
Gas prices are higher in Arizona by more than a dollar from a year before, and the spike was glaring in metro Phoenix where the average price of regular gasoline was quickly inching to $5 per gallon.
—Jose R. Gonzalez, AZCentral.com, 28 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for inch
Noun
For example, this spacious option can fit a 13-inch laptop, headphones, a water bottle, farmers’ market goodies, makeup, and more, according to reviews.
—Izzy Baskette, PEOPLE, 2 Apr. 2026
Rain chances are at 50 percent with new rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, with higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
—Garfield Hylton, The Orlando Sentinel, 2 Apr. 2026
Verb
The team is inching toward making history for Fort Worth ISD, as the district has never had a boys soccer state champion.
—Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Mar. 2026
Gas prices are higher in Arizona by more than a dollar from a year before, and the spike was glaring in metro Phoenix where the average price of regular gasoline was quickly inching to $5 per gallon.
—Jose R. Gonzalez, AZCentral.com, 28 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for inch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inch
Noun
-
Collaborate thoughtfully, and document next steps clearly.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
3 Apr. 2026
-
This session, the Legislature also passed House Bill 822, which requires schools and health care providers to inform a parent within 72 hours if a child requests to take steps to socially transition, which could include using pronouns or names that align with their gender identity.—
Becca Savransky,
Idaho Statesman,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The Orion capsule separated from the rocket's upper stage to enter a highly elliptical orbit around Earth.—
Amanda Lee Myers,
USA Today,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Their mom is in hospice care, battling stage 4 brain cancer, and their dad was arrested this week by ICE.—
Zach Boetto,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
Noun
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An item that is adjustable will allow the user to lock in specific heights that work best for them.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Apr. 2026
-
At its height, a period extending from the middle of the 16th century to the beginning of the 18th, the Mughal Empire controlled almost the entire Indian subcontinent, marshaling vast amounts of money and manpower.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Those rapid-fire changes have prompted advocates to sound the alarm — and sue the Justice Department — arguing that the new rules encroach on due process in the country’s immigration courts.—
Caroline Kubzansky,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Mar. 2026
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When Mays retired last season and Antoine Thompson was hired, Graham stepped away, not wanting to encroach on the new head coach’s time.—
Ishmael Johnson,
Dallas Morning News,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Continue reading … EMERGENCY EASE — Trump administration steps in with rare tax relief for DHS workers as shutdown drags on.—
,
FOXNews.com,
2 Apr. 2026
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Several parents who spoke to The Baltimore Sun, under the condition of anonymity because of fears that the institution would retaliate against their sons, questioned why the school continues to drag its feet about bringing back Moran.—
Edward Lee,
Baltimore Sun,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The day started with bad vibes when two-time Cy Young winner Jacob deGrom was scratched from his start with a neck injury.—
Jim Barnes,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
29 Mar. 2026
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Saturday’s nose win followed a neck victory over Chief Wallabee in last month’s Fountain of Youth Stakes.—
Clark Spencer,
Miami Herald,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Welles said through his management company that the animal lover would appreciate donations in his memory to local animal shelters, animal rescue organizations or Humane Society chapters.—
Theresa Braine,
New York Daily News,
29 Mar. 2026
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Here, four bibliophile paradises that invite travelers to get lost in the chapters and sit in the joy of a life well read.—
Lara Kramer,
Condé Nast Traveler,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Until Isaacman’s program makeover, Artemis III was crawling toward a moon landing no sooner than 2029.—
Marcia Dunn,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Apr. 2026
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Woods’ car then rolled onto its driver’s side and he was forced to crawl out the window.—
Jessica Schladebeck,
New York Daily News,
2 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Inch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inch. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
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