inch 1 of 2

Definition of inchnext
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

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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
Denali Ultimate models will offer over 60 inches of digital displays and a three-year subscription to Super Cruise hands-free driving technology. Charles Singh, USA Today, 25 June 2026 Ahead, designers share their favorite strategies for making the most of the vertical space in your room and expanding your design horizons, one inch at a time. Alyssa Longobucco, Architectural Digest, 25 June 2026
Verb
Argentina and Spain are riding high after dominant World Cup performances, inching them closer to the tournament’s knockout stage. Camila Grigera Naón, Fortune, 22 June 2026 The draw inched Cape Verde closer to the knockout stage. Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 22 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for inch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inch
Noun
  • The hotel stands just steps from the historic French Quarter, undoubtedly one of the first stops on any traveler’s itinerary.
    Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 26 June 2026
  • But the increasing tanker traffic is an encouraging step toward normalization of global oil flows.
    David Goldman, CNN Money, 26 June 2026
Noun
  • Your gentle heart may crave recognition while your spirit needs quiet, so choose a smaller stage and keep the audience intimate.
    Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 26 June 2026
  • Tunisia, which entered the match having already been eliminated from any chance of advancing to the knockout stage, had pockets of fans wearing red and white.
    Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 26 June 2026
Noun
  • Platform Sandals Inspired by Martha Stewart Forget sky-high stilettos — Stewart is embracing a more comfortable way to add height.
    Nicol Natale, PEOPLE, 26 June 2026
  • The yacht features four guest cabins, including a full-beam owner's suite, and a luminous main deck with full-height glazing.
    Bill Springer, Forbes.com, 25 June 2026
Verb
  • The latest installment shifts focus from the dynamic between Woody and Buzz to Jessie, telling a story about the encroaching role of technology in children’s development.
    Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 22 June 2026
  • People around Putin cannot afford to step outside their sphere of responsibility or encroach on someone else’s interests (with some exceptions in the military and security services).
    Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 18 June 2026
Verb
  • Especially someone that can drag his man around a little bit, take attention away from Anthony (Edwards).
    Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 25 June 2026
  • Ennis enters as the betting favorite, but Zayas owns size and reach edges and has vowed to drag the fight into the deep, physical championship rounds.
    Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 25 June 2026
Noun
  • Be sure to cover your head and neck with your arms, and crawl under a sturdy table if possible.
    CA Earthquake Bot, Sacbee.com, 28 June 2026
  • Catcher Will Smith, on the other hand, has not returned to baseball activities since receiving an injection to address his neck injury.
    Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 28 June 2026
Noun
  • Throughout the night, sentimental videos from different chapters of Jackson's career played on the screens by the stage, along with messages from stars not in attendance like country singers Keith Urban, Zac Brown and Kenny Chesney as well as NASCAR drivers Jeff Gordon and Dale Earnhardt Jr.
    Bryan West, USA Today, 28 June 2026
  • And the best story at the 2026 World Cup will add another chapter as Algeria continues to train in Lawrence.
    Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 28 June 2026
Verb
  • Seltz’s system crawls hundreds of millions of pages a day, and returns results in under 200 milliseconds.
    Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 24 June 2026
  • The animal eventually crawled under a dock.
    Kimberlee Speakman, PEOPLE, 23 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Inch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inch. Accessed 30 Jun. 2026.

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