inch 1 of 2

noun

ˈinch How to pronounce inch (audio)
Definition of inchnext
1
as in step
a very small distance or degree give them an inch, and they'll take a mile

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
as in to drag
to move slowly the car inched carefully across the snow-covered causeway

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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
Just 6 inches of fast-moving water can forcefully sweep you off your feet. — Bay Area Weather Report, Mercury News, 8 July 2026 Even 6 inches of swiftly moving water can forcefully knock you off your feet. — Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 8 July 2026
Verb
Peace talks between the two countries are still inching along, with one of the key points up for discussion being how to regulate the flow of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. — Tristan Bove, Fortune, 1 July 2026 In the three years since it’s been filed, the lawsuit has been inching along, with both sides trading briefs and appeals, Ron Zambrano, a lawyer for the three women, said in an interview. — Lisa Respers France, CNN Money, 29 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for inch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inch
  1. step
  2. stage
  3. height
  4. encroach
  5. drag
  6. neck
  7. chapter
  8. crawl
Noun
  • Some were finely cut feathers; others, more surprisingly, were denim in various washes that created a kind of dimensional pointillist effect unlike anything else photographed on the red steps of the Palais.
    — Amy Verner, Vogue, 6 July 2026
  • From bringing back college football to taking major steps with Madden franchise mode, the developer/publisher is delivering solid virtual gridiron experiences.
    — Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 6 July 2026
Definition of step
Noun
  • Last year the city approved Hackman Capital’s $1-billion plan to add 980,000 square feet of offices, sound stages, production facilities and retail space.
    — Roger Vincent, Los Angeles Times, 11 July 2026
  • Those results meant Norway had already qualified for the knockout stages, so rested 10 players as they were beaten 4-1 by France in their final group match.
    — Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 11 July 2026
Definition of stage
Noun
  • In one photo, Kate drapes an arm around George, who is now almost her height (the future king turns 13 later this month).
    — Jennifer Hassan, USA Today, 6 July 2026
  • Mixing knits with leather creates texture and contrast in the outfit, while the height and simplicity of these solid-color boots helps ground the overall look.
    — Abby Morgan Lebet, Glamour, 6 July 2026
Definition of height
Verb
  • As convenience store formats encroach on grocery and superstore territory in both size and assortment, chains need to consider how to maximize their popularity without creating excessive additional competition.
    — Kevin Williams, CNBC, 2 July 2026
  • Ditching a 90-year-old decision, the court said restrictions Congress placed on a president’s ability to remove members of independent agencies like the Federal Trade Commission encroached on presidential power.
    — Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 1 July 2026
Definition of encroach
Verb
  • On Tuesday, the roller-coaster ride for AI stocks whipped back down, dragging Wall Street lower.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 8 July 2026
  • With the process dragging on for months, the split of drama and comedy into separate departments, with Smith as head of the former, emerged as a likely scenario by mid-May.
    — Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 8 July 2026
Definition of drag
Noun
  • As he was wheeled away to a waiting ambulance, Gil wore an oxygen mask and neck brace, and his face showed bruising.
    — Mery Mogollón, Los Angeles Times, 5 July 2026
  • Mauney, widely seen as the best rider of his generation and someone who braved the hardest bulls to ride, had to retire in 2023 after a neck break on a bull called Arctic Assassin.
    — Hilary Whiteman, CNN Money, 5 July 2026
Definition of neck
Noun
  • On Thursday, the star and producer revealed that production has commenced on Fast Forever, which is set for a March 17, 2028 premiere, the 11th and final chapter in the $7 billion action franchise that launched with 2001’s The Fast and the Furious.
    — Glenn Garner, Deadline, 4 July 2026
  • Either way, Reyes didn't spend long with San Diego's organization, and the release closes another chapter in a long and persistent career.
    — Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 4 July 2026
Definition of chapter
Verb
  • The lights off method is a simple means of identifying places in the garage where bugs or rodents might be crawling in.
    — Kate Van Pelt, The Spruce, 7 July 2026
  • Their father dismounted, went down on foot, climbed the fence his son had crawled under.
    — Emily Ruskovich, The Atlantic, 7 July 2026
Definition of crawl

Phrases Containing inch

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incestuous
inch
in charge
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Cite this Entry

“Inch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inch. Accessed 12 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on inch

Nglish: Translation of inch for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about inch

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