inch 1 of 2

Definition of inchnext
1
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

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
Transfer mixture to a 9-inch pie plate, and firmly press in bottom and up sides. Erin Merhar, Southern Living, 30 June 2026 Plans call for the installation of 500 microwave plasma chemical vapor deposition (MPCVD) systems capable of producing 2-inch to 4-inch single-crystal diamond wafers. Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 30 June 2026
Verb
Turning to larger athletic shoe players, prospects are mixed as smaller competitors inch ahead. Vicki M. Young, Footwear News, 22 June 2026 Argentina and Spain are riding high after dominant World Cup performances, inching them closer to the tournament’s knockout stage. Camila Grigera Naón, Fortune, 22 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for inch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inch
Noun
  • The hotel stands just steps from the historic French Quarter, undoubtedly one of the first stops on any traveler’s itinerary.
    Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 26 June 2026
  • But the increasing tanker traffic is an encouraging step toward normalization of global oil flows.
    David Goldman, CNN Money, 26 June 2026
Noun
  • What time will each band go on, and how many stages will there be?
    Finch Walker, USA Today, 4 July 2026
  • The Aspiron Canister Vacuum is designed with a powerful brushless motor, three-stage filtration system, and large dust cup that keeps shoppers from having to constantly empty it.
    Jill Layton, PEOPLE, 4 July 2026
Noun
  • The new boat actively stabilizes its ride height, roll, and pitch to minimize deck motion, ensuring safe pilot transfers even at high speeds.
    Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 29 June 2026
  • Raise mowing height during dry spells to promote deeper roots and conserve soil moisture.
    Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 29 June 2026
Verb
  • The latest installment shifts focus from the dynamic between Woody and Buzz to Jessie, telling a story about the encroaching role of technology in children’s development.
    Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 22 June 2026
  • People around Putin cannot afford to step outside their sphere of responsibility or encroach on someone else’s interests (with some exceptions in the military and security services).
    Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 18 June 2026
Verb
  • But as the days dragged on, headlines about power outages and water shortages took a back seat to a far more gruesome and horrific reality.
    Adam Harrington, CBS News, 1 July 2026
  • Compounding concerns, California officials say the Department of Transportation is dragging its feet.
    Lauren Morganbesser, semafor.com, 1 July 2026
Noun
  • Be sure to cover your head and neck with your arms, and crawl under a sturdy table if possible.
    CA Earthquake Bot, Sacbee.com, 28 June 2026
  • Catcher Will Smith, on the other hand, has not returned to baseball activities since receiving an injection to address his neck injury.
    Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 28 June 2026
Noun
  • Throughout the night, sentimental videos from different chapters of Jackson's career played on the screens by the stage, along with messages from stars not in attendance like country singers Keith Urban, Zac Brown and Kenny Chesney as well as NASCAR drivers Jeff Gordon and Dale Earnhardt Jr.
    Bryan West, USA Today, 28 June 2026
  • And the best story at the 2026 World Cup will add another chapter as Algeria continues to train in Lawrence.
    Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 28 June 2026
Verb
  • So, while the Dodgers crawled out of the hole with a season-high 17 hits, the steep cost heightens the pressure on the rest of the rotation the rest of the series.
    Liana Handler Follow, Los Angeles Times, 3 July 2026
  • The Germans were crawling as far as the street, dashing across the asphalt, then leaping into the second trench.
    Vasily Grossman, Harpers Magazine, 30 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Inch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inch. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.

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