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
One family reported that 38 inches of water had filled their living room, Medina told reporters. — ABC News, 3 Nov. 2026 About 8 inches of rain fell in some areas, CBS News Miami reported. — Ana Maria Soler, CBS News, 3 Nov. 2026
Verb
The transformation hasn’t happened overnight; Fahy has been inching towards a shorter style for a little while now, having recently been spotted at the Tribeca Chanel Women’s Filmmaker Program Luncheon with a shoulder-length chop. — Jacqueline Kilikita, Vogue, 27 Oct. 2026 Visa — Shares of the electronic payments giant inched down 2%. — Davis Giangiulio,darla Mercado, Cfp®, CNBC, 27 Oct. 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
  • The new membrane provides a possible route towards room-temperature fluoride-ion transport, bringing researchers a step closer to practical batteries that use a different charge carrier.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 7 Nov. 2026
  • There's even steps set up like a faux funicular that lead to a mezzanine games room and slide.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Nov. 2026
Definition of step
Noun
  • Blue Origin has completed an important structural test for the stage.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 6 Nov. 2026
  • The trouble with hydrogen The stage will be powered by the company’s BE-7 engine, already used by its lunar landers.
    — Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of stage
Noun
  • Indeed, sea levels reached record heights — not seen in more than a century of observations.
    — Sean Greene, Los Angeles Times, 2 Nov. 2026
  • All clouds at heights where temperatures dip below freezing have the potential to create icing conditions, according to the FAA.
    — Holly Yan, CNN Money, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of height
Verb
  • The result is a political system in which a president can act in ways that may violate federal law, undermine democratic norms and encroach on Congress’ constitutional authority.
    — Stephanie A, The Conversation, 26 Oct. 2026
  • The buzzer sounded and Banchero encroached on Johnson’s space before Dyson Daniels and Onyeka Okongwu tried to break them apart.
    — Lauren Williams, AJC.com, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of encroach
Verb
  • Difficulties dragging the Tyler Technologies project over the finish line dogged Preckwinkle throughout the primary.
    — A.D. Quig, Chicago Tribune, 4 Nov. 2026
  • No evidence of foul play was discovered, though the investigation dragged on.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of drag
Noun
  • Investing in a handful of turtleneck or mock-neck layering tees, like this cashmere-blend top, is a great way to increase warmth without adding bulk.
    — Abby Hepworth, Travel + Leisure, 5 Nov. 2026
  • The 13-year-old rapper opted for an all-black outfit, composed of a long high-neck jacket and combat boots.
    — Christina Perrier, InStyle, 5 Nov. 2026
Definition of neck
Noun
  • There is something so beautiful about loving someone through every season of their life … Kenny, one of the greatest gifts of my life has been getting to know you through all your different chapters.
    — Escher Walcott, PEOPLE, 7 Nov. 2026
  • Both Hernandez and Rascón are Democrats, but the latter was recommended by DSA’s local chapter.
    — Linh Tat, Daily News, 7 Nov. 2026
Definition of chapter
Verb
  • This suspect returns back to his car, retrieves his handgun, walks back over to the victim, who’s trying to crawl away with her life, and executes her.
    — Dan Sullivan, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 Nov. 2026
  • That’s because the moon began to crawl across it about half an hour ago.
    — IEEE Spectrum, IEEE Spectrum, 5 Nov. 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 8 Nov. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on inch

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about inch

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