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."
Examples of inroad in a Sentence
Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Oct. 2025
In exchange, the tech companies have an opportunity to make inroads into schools and win over students in the race for AI dominance.
—Dave Smith, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2025
After the fiasco at the party, Stacey attempts to make inroads with the group by reconnecting with Wendy first, despite Wendy having led the charge to ask questions about her personal life on the reunion stage.
—Shamira Ibrahim, Vulture, 13 Oct. 2025
The new agreement arrives as traditional Hollywood is attempting to make inroads in the format.
—Katie Kilkenny, HollywoodReporter, 13 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for inroad
Cite this Entry
“Inroad.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inroad. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
Copy Citation
Share