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
Los Angeles Times, 19 Feb. 2026
Sunday’s storms are not expected to bring more than a quarter-inch of rain.
—Martin E. Comas, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 Feb. 2026
Savannah Walsh, Vanity Fair, 23 Feb. 2026
Gas prices inched up Monday in South Florida as drivers get back to the work commute.
—Miami Herald, 23 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for inch
Noun
Over the last three days, Northern California’s Bear Valley Mountain Resort has gotten at least 68 inches of snow.
—Los Angeles Times, 19 Feb. 2026
Sunday’s storms are not expected to bring more than a quarter-inch of rain.
—Martin E. Comas, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 Feb. 2026
Verb
Balfe inched closer during season seven with the opportunity to direct some second unit footage.
—Savannah Walsh, Vanity Fair, 23 Feb. 2026
Gas prices inched up Monday in South Florida as drivers get back to the work commute.
—Miami Herald, 23 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for inch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inch
Noun
-
The first step requires Ilana to change into a robe, undressing on top of pads placed on the floor so each item of clothing can be packaged into separate bags and collected as evidence.—
Senior Television,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Despite a step-out and a fall on his first two quads, Japan’s Yuma Kagiyama skated the rest of his free program more cleanly and earned his second Olympic silver.—
Alice Fang,
New York Times,
20 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
But fans remain hopeful, especially as Team USA’s men’s hockey team — which has advanced to the knockout stage — prepares for a critical matchup today that could determine their medal chances.—
Alexandra Banner,
CNN Money,
20 Feb. 2026
-
By the same stage in this one, the figure was 23.—
Andy Mitten,
New York Times,
20 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Finish with your favorite heeled boots to add height and let the coat truly shine.—
Amanda Le,
InStyle,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Take your garden to new heights with vining plants that add quick color to fence lines.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Residents have raised concerns about the centers encroaching on their rural lifestyles.—
Eleanor Dearman,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
23 Feb. 2026
-
The plans, released in November, showed roadways encroaching on landmarks and fragmenting neighborhoods in historically Black parts of the city.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
About 20 firefighters are actively considering leaving the department, Veit said — and that number continues to increase as contract negotiations drag on.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Her criminal case has dragged on, unresolved, and she is entitled to be presumed innocent.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
19 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Olympic medals weren’t designed to be worn around the neck until 1960, when a laurel-leaf chain was introduced in Rome, and subsequently ribbons became standard.—
Eric Sullivan,
Scientific American,
21 Feb. 2026
-
Be sure to cover your head and neck with your arms, and crawl under a sturdy table if possible.—
CA Earthquake Bot,
Sacbee.com,
21 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
With an independent test data set for release, the coming weeks may determine whether Donut Lab’s claims mark a genuine breakthrough or another chapter in the long and difficult quest to commercialize solid-state batteries.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
23 Feb. 2026
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But with a gritty performance and one decisive shot, the Bruins rewrote their story, capping an interesting chapter in their illustrious history.—
Aaron Heisen,
Daily News,
22 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Another two were crawling behind a prep table.—
David J. Neal,
Miami Herald,
19 Feb. 2026
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However, these were among six restaurants and one food truck in Broward and Palm Beach counties that made the emergency closure list, with issues ranging from roaches crawling around kitchens to employees not washing their hands (one after rubbing/smashing a dead roach with their fingers).—
Kari Barnett,
Sun Sentinel,
19 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Inch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inch. Accessed 26 Feb. 2026.
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