1
as in step
a very small distance or degree
give them an inch, and they'll take a mile
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of inch
Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 16 Apr. 2026
Wind gusts of up to 60 mph and quarter-sized hail (1 inch) are predicted.
—Star-Telegram Weather Bot, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 Apr. 2026
Judith Shulevitz, The Atlantic, 9 Apr. 2026
The school district's board of education is inching closer to asking voters to consider an MLO in November.
—Olivia Young, CBS News, 9 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for inch
Noun
To plant potatoes, fill the bottom 4 to 6 inches of the container with a quality potting mix blended with compost.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 16 Apr. 2026
Wind gusts of up to 60 mph and quarter-sized hail (1 inch) are predicted.
—Star-Telegram Weather Bot, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 Apr. 2026
Verb
Eight decades later, as nations inch toward despotism, an art animated by democratic impulses makes a stronger case for itself.
—Judith Shulevitz, The Atlantic, 9 Apr. 2026
The school district's board of education is inching closer to asking voters to consider an MLO in November.
—Olivia Young, CBS News, 9 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for inch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inch
Noun
-
Set one clear intention, then take a brave step before distractions crowd in.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
17 Apr. 2026
-
Young acknowledged his proposal is just a first step, and said lawmakers have a lot to learn about prediction markets.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
17 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Who needs a mild anti-monarchist outburst, given the far thornier international debacle on the BAFTAs stage?—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
17 Apr. 2026
-
Ariana Grande has conquered global arenas, the Oscars stage and, now, another CinemaCon.—
Matt Donnelly,
Variety,
16 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Wednesday that the 250-foot height will honor America's 250 years of existence.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
16 Apr. 2026
-
Due to building restrictions, the team stuck with the original footprint but were able to extend the height 15 feet, making way for more gracious guest rooms.—
Hannah Martin,
Architectural Digest,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
But work can encroach on personal time if professionals are not careful.—
Metro Creative Services,
Boston Herald,
13 Apr. 2026
-
Ward expense accounts have been a touchy area for mayoral administrations to encroach on in times of austerity.—
Alice Yin,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The officer grabbed me and said 'you're arrested,' and just put me in handcuffs and drug and dragged me out.—
Mahsa Saeidi,
CBS News,
17 Apr. 2026
-
The sharp, plumb bow and the hull that slowly widens aft, for example, reduce resistance and drag.—
Rachel Cormack,
Robb Report,
16 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
McKellen was hospitalized for three days with a fractured wrist and neck injury following the fall on June 17, 2024, leaving him unable to return to the London run of Player Kings.—
Cara Lynn Shultz,
PEOPLE,
11 Apr. 2026
-
Police said a 16-year-old boy was shot in the neck and took himself to the University of Chicago Hospital where he is listed in critical condition.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
11 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The final chapter of Euphoria will see the characters five years after high school.—
Alyssa Davis,
PEOPLE,
13 Apr. 2026
-
Perhaps another chapter is in store Sunday.—
Doug Ferguson,
Chicago Tribune,
12 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The roaches crawling in a drawer with clean utensils and rodent poop on a counter didn’t help.—
David J. Neal,
Miami Herald,
16 Apr. 2026
-
For example, the new Canva can crawl the web for breaking tech news overnight, determine what’s trending, then create—and even schedule—social media posts on its own.—
Nicholas Gordon,
Fortune,
16 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Inch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inch. Accessed 18 Apr. 2026.
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