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

Forrest said even a close loss for Democrats in Cabarrus could be a sign the party is continuing to make inroads in the county as Charlotte’s growth stretches into more suburban and rural areas. — Mary Ramsey, Charlotte Observer, 16 Oct. 2026

But making inroads with a customer who responds positively to condom-wearing pickles is easier said than done, and there certainly isn't a one-size-fits-all strategy. — Megan Sauer, CNBC, 13 Oct. 2026

In the last few years, Chanel has made major inroads into the global contemporary culture-circuit whirligig. — Nate Freeman, Vanity Fair, 9 Oct. 2026

Texas has taken center stage this election cycle as Democrats seek to make inroads up and down the ballot. — Julia Manchester, The Hill, 9 Oct. 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