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
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of inch
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
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
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
-
Instead of inching toward 30/30 seasons, all three took a step backward.—
John Romano,
Orlando Sentinel,
19 Mar. 2025
-
Soon afterward, the inspector general for the IRS took preliminary steps to look into the matter, according to a person familiar with the effort who wasn’t authorized to speak with reporters.—
Andy Kroll,
ProPublica,
19 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Key moments in the careers of Pearl Jam, Nine Inch Nails, Ice-T, Green Day, Rage Against the Machine, Courtney Love, and many more played out on its stages, as chronicled in the excellent new oral-history book Lollapalooza: The Uncensored Story of Alternative Rock’s Wildest Festival.—
Brian Hiatt,
Rolling Stone,
30 Mar. 2025
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Lap 110: Chase Elliott has held the lead since restarting on the front row following the stage break.—
Shane Connuck,
Charlotte Observer,
30 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
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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
Verb
-
While fire hasn’t encroached on the home yet, a fire burned on the other side of the mountain, Rodney Nelson said.—
Jeff A. Chamer,
Charlotte Observer,
28 Mar. 2025
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The laws that passed after 9/11 also undermined the First Amendment by encroaching on Americans’ religious liberty.—
Abdallah Fayyad,
Vox,
27 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
The conflict began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched an attack on Israel, killing about 1,200 people and dragging hundreds more back to Gaza as hostages.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
21 Mar. 2025
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The man was convicted of dragging the girl into an alley on Glenwood Road near E. 38th St. in East Flatbush, Brooklyn and attacking her, cops said.—
Elizabeth Keogh,
New York Daily News,
21 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
-
As for what’s next for Salke, sources around town noted that her new first-look production deal at Amazon actually sets her up for a new chapter that will somewhat free her from the creative constraints that come with answering to tech bosses.—
Michael Schneider,
Variety,
28 Mar. 2025
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The discovery has opened a dramatic new chapter in the hunt for insights into af Klint and her universe.—
Jay Cheshes,
Smithsonian Magazine,
28 Mar. 2025
Verb
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But, somehow, life finds a way: The seafloor was crawling with critters of all shapes and sizes, from centuries-old sponges and cup corals to octopuses, snails, worms, sea spiders, icefish and even a rare giant phantom jellyfish.—
Sarah Kuta,
Smithsonian Magazine,
21 Mar. 2025
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Wright crawled out of the driver’s side door of the vehicle, Chargualaf said.—
Jim Woods,
Chicago Tribune,
21 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Inch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inch. Accessed 2 Apr. 2025.
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