inroad

noun

in·​road ˈin-ˌrōd 

plural inroads

1

: an advance or penetration often at the expense of someone or something

—usually plural

2

: a sudden hostile incursion : raid

Did you know?

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."

Synonyms of inroad

• incursion
• invasion
• raid

Examples of inroad in a Sentence

the army is finally making inroads into enemy territory

Recent Examples on the Web

That truce, born from the scars of Europe’s bloody religious wars and America’s own colonial theocracies, was deemed unbreakable, but Falwell was making inroads toward prying it apart. — Literary Hub, 25 Aug. 2026

And, making inroads with people of religion is another way to kind of broaden the base. — Dana Taylor, USA Today, 24 Aug. 2026

The meeting shows the depth of Republican Party concern over losing their congressional majority, particularly the House, and the need to make inroads with the opposing party as the White House seeks to stem any potential political fallout. — Lisa Mascaro, Los Angeles Times, 23 Aug. 2026

Democrats have been hoping to make inroads in Florida, despite the formerly purple state becoming increasingly red in recent years. — Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1548, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for inroad

• abode
• anode
• barcode
• bestowed
• boatload
• borrowed
• carload
• caseload
• cathode
• commode
• corrode
• crossroad

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Kids Definition

inroad

noun

in·​road ˈin-ˌrōd 

1

: a sudden hostile invasion : raid

2

: an important advance often at the expense of someone or something

making inroads against the competition