inch 1 of 2

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
The conical to pyramidal panicles of creamy white flowers measure 6 to 8 inches long. Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 25 Apr. 2025 The most snow Chicago has ever received in one season was 89.7 inches during 1978-79. Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 14 Apr. 2025
Verb
Consumers went out in force last month to scoop up available cars, trucks and SUVs before prices inched higher, helping the industry report record sales. Morgan Korn, ABC News, 19 Apr. 2025 In midtown and below, congestion pricing is helping to thin traffic and smooth the way for the buses that, in the rest of the city, still inch agonizingly along. Justin Davidson, Curbed, 18 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for inch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inch
Noun
  • While important steps had been taken to address the abuse scandals during his predecessor’s tenure, there was still much more the church needed to do.
    Christopher Lamb, CNN Money, 24 Apr. 2025
  • The hearing will mark the first time a federal judge has considered the issue since Trump issued an executive order last month directing Education Secretary Linda McMahon to take steps to shrink the department.
    Peter Charalambous, ABC News, 24 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • What's kept my company going in this stage is the bigger picture.
    Hope Horner, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 2025
  • While Khalifa paraded around the stage, blunt in hand, tossing large, plastic makeshift joints into the crowd, the crowd was primed for the headliner himself, Chris Brown.
    Kenneth Williams, Essence, 23 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Fit is essential, so tailor your dress to your heel height to ensure a polished look.
    Nneya Richards, Travel + Leisure, 26 Apr. 2025
  • Data was collected on the participants' eating and lifestyle habits, blood pressure, medical history, and height and weight.
    Ashley J. DiMella, FOXNews.com, 26 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Rising sea levels not only push back its shorelines, but the encroaching salt water also erodes the country’s limited farmland.
    Kathleen Magramo, CNN Money, 17 Apr. 2025
  • Democrats have repeatedly warned against Republican budget proposals encroaching on Medicaid.
    Arick Wierson, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The officers then dragged Feliz out of his car, pulling his pants down and exposing his genitals in the process.
    Lourdes Rosado, New York Daily News, 30 Apr. 2025
  • On the flip side, Jamal Murray dragged the Clippers for 43 points.
    Law Murray, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • But their magnum opus was 1978’s Dub Housing, where Thomas shows off his collection of animal noises, grunts, yelps, and screeches, up to his neck in industrial synth-and-guitar factory noise.
    Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 25 Apr. 2025
  • Loading your audio article Police have arrested a suspect in the fatal slashing of a man in the neck during a clash inside an Upper West Side building, cops said.
    Roni Jacobson, New York Daily News, 24 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • With a focus on inclusivity and national unity, these celebrations will bring together communities, organizations, and individuals to reflect on the nation’s journey while looking ahead to the next chapter of its history.
    Connie Etemadi, USA Today, 3 May 2025
  • New installments in development include a fifth chapter in the main series, an animated prequel, and a spin-off focused on Donnie Yen’s blind assassin, Caine.
    Matt Grobar, Deadline, 2 May 2025
Verb
  • Freya crawled on top of her, interrupting the seizure.
    Brittney Melton, NPR, 27 Apr. 2025
  • Continue to update your site with new, high-quality blogs, and search engines will more frequently crawl your site.
    Tonia Ryan, Forbes.com, 25 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Inch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inch. Accessed 6 May. 2025.

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