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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 Razr Ultra has an internal-display size of 7.0 inches, slightly bigger than the 6.9-inch displays on both the Flip7 and the Razr+. Anshel Sag, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2025 Anderson, looking every inch a Pre-Raphaelite muse, plays the penniless, unmarried, and — worst of all — conspicuous socialite Lily Bart. Elle Carroll, Vulture, 11 Aug. 2025
Verb
Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 was up 0.54%, while the Topix inched higher 0.45%. Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 4 Aug. 2025 Meanwhile, Amazon’s headcount inched up 1% year-over-year to 1.55 million, with CEO Andy Jassy signaling further workforce streamlining as automation and generative AI gain traction internally. Geoff Colvin, Fortune, 31 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for inch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inch
Noun
  • Sending a follow-up email that confirms everyone’s commitments and outlines next steps.
    Bihag Karnani, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2025
  • Vrabel’s office, a few steps further ahead and through another doorway, is sized closer to a studio apartment.
    Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 7 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Researchers who study trends and pathways to radicalization suggest social media and the internet have played a significant role in all stages of a person's exposure to extremism.
    Natalie Eilbert, jsonline.com, 7 Aug. 2025
  • There will also be sizeable increases in pay for those who progress to the latter stages of the competition, with singles finalists earning $2.5 million (a 26% increase), semifinalists $1.26 million (a 26% increase), and quarterfinalists $660,000 (a 25% increase).
    George Ramsay, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • The maximum height of this new building would be 100 feet, but where The Boca Raton is zoned only allows for buildings as tall as 85 feet.
    Abigail Hasebroock, Sun Sentinel, 12 Aug. 2025
  • These jeans are for you, though people of all heights and sizes can enjoy the style.
    Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 12 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • During the same period, explorers began encroaching on the islands, including Captain James Cook and British fur trader John Meares, whose arrival is depicted in episode 2.
    Christopher Rudolph, People.com, 4 Aug. 2025
  • But the move also means encroaching on the turf of chipmaker customers such as Qualcomm.
    Bloomberg, Mercury News, 31 July 2025
Verb
  • In doing so, the currents drag swimmers out into open waters.
    Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 16 Aug. 2025
  • One person would hold the rod and drag ashore a thrashing, 200-pound sawfish.
    Jack Prator, The Orlando Sentinel, 16 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Acne causes pimples on various parts of the body, such as the face, neck, chest, and back.
    Merve Ceylan, Health, 12 Aug. 2025
  • The 19-inch lanyard can be slipped on and off your neck without mussing your hair as well.
    Izzy Baskette, People.com, 12 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • With a wedding ahead and a new chapter within reach, the young woman is holding onto her vision for a future of freedom and peace.
    Ashley Vega, People.com, 7 Aug. 2025
  • But cartoon lookalikes aside, the creature may help rewrite one of the earliest chapters in animal evolution.
    Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 6 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Adam crawls along the floor, left, about to put his finger in an electrical outlet, right, while his baby watches from afar.
    Daniella Gray, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Aug. 2025
  • This setup enabled the robots to crawl using sequential contractions and relaxation—much like a caterpillar.
    IEEE Spectrum, IEEE Spectrum, 12 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Inch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inch. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.

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