Synonyms of inched

inched

verb

past tense of inch

1

as in encroached

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

• encroached
• crept
• snaked
• wormed
• sneaked
• invaded
• entrenched
• intruded
• impinged
• overshot
• infringed
• overstepped
• overran
• overreached
• overpassed

2

as in dragged

to move slowly

the car inched carefully across the snow-covered causeway

Synonyms & Similar Words

• dragged
• crawled
• crept
• shuffled
• poked
• limped
• slouched
• oozed
• nosed
• plodded
• creaked (along)
• snailed
• trudged
• shambled
• tramped
• lumbered

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• flew
• raced
• sped
• sailed
• floated
• whizzed
• hurried
• zipped
• glided
• tore

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of inched

Applications for unemployment benefits inched up last week as layoffs remain historically low and most American workers enjoy job security. — Matt Ott, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026

Brent crude oil futures inched up to around $106 at noon Thursday, testing October’s highs as markets continued to focus on mounting risks to supply in the Middle East. — Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2026

As temperatures inched into the 90s last October, the military marched into Memphis. — Patrik Jonsson, Christian Science Monitor, 14 Oct. 2026

This is not uncommon — women make up 4% of laureates since the award’s inception, though that has inched up to 12% in the past decade. — O. Rose Broderick, STAT, 8 Oct. 2026

The defense has inched closer to the line of scrimmage, leaving some gaps behind them. — Sam McDowell 7, Kansas City Star, 7 Oct. 2026

Martin notes that the speed bump Skydance hit in the approval process — the antitrust lawsuit filed by 12 states — cost them probably another $500 million in higher interest fees on short-term debt as rates have inched up. — Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 5 Oct. 2026

Summit stars Janine Sonis and Lindsey Heaps put on a show as Denver’s first-year franchise inched closer to the NWSL’s final playoff spot. — Spencer Baldwin, Denver Post, 4 Oct. 2026

Sixers fans that inched near the court screamed and outright begged James to stop and turnaround and pose for pictures. — ABC News, 3 Oct. 2026