1
as in encroaches
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
as in drags
to move slowly
the car inched carefully across the snow-covered causeway
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 inches
Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 7 Feb. 2026
Snow accumulations 4 to 10 inches above 6000 feet.
—Southern California Weather Report, Daily News, 7 Feb. 2026
In addition to its annual average of 150 inches of snowfall, the resort is committed to keeping its runs open through its snowmaking capabilities.
—Katy Spratte Joyce, Travel + Leisure, 7 Feb. 2026
With less than four inches of rain since November, the South Florida Water Management District said water levels in the Biscayne Aquifer have fallen dramatically.
—Jenny Staletovich, Miami Herald, 7 Feb. 2026
Predicted 1 inches, high end 3 What time will the snow end in Rhode Island?
—Katie Landeck, The Providence Journal, 7 Feb. 2026
At Lake Tahoe level, 4 to 6 inches, with 6 to 12 inches along and west of Highway 89.
—Bay Area Weather Report, Mercury News, 7 Feb. 2026
The thickness of the ice is between 3/4 and 1½ inches.
—Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 7 Feb. 2026
Along Highway 395 near Bridgeport and Lee Vining, up to 2 inches.
—Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 7 Feb. 2026
Dan Lovi, Daily News, 22 Jan. 2026
Republicans can comfort themselves that a win is still a win—and that their House majority inches up to 220–213, at least until other vacancies kick in.
—Newsweek Editors, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Dec. 2025
The news comes as Hendricks Commercial Properties inches closer to a massive overhaul of the mall that could take years to complete.
—Jenny Porter Tilley, IndyStar, 21 Nov. 2025
Clemson also inches back up into the top 50 for beating Florida State.
—Chris Vannini, New York Times, 10 Nov. 2025
As Congress inches closer to a possible government shutdown, many federal services North Carolinians depend on might be disrupted.
—Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 30 Sep. 2025
Williams edged the Bills’ Josh Allen and Ravens’ Lamar Jackson for the honor, while Dolphins’ Tua Tagovailoa inches up one spot to 18th overall.
—Miami Herald, 23 Sep. 2025
With BeyondMimic, that vision inches closer to becoming everyday technology.
—Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 1 Sep. 2025
Noun
Martha recommends planting the seeds two times as deep as the seed's diameter, spacing each seed about 2 inches apart.
—Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 7 Feb. 2026
Snow accumulations 4 to 10 inches above 6000 feet.
—Southern California Weather Report, Daily News, 7 Feb. 2026
In addition to its annual average of 150 inches of snowfall, the resort is committed to keeping its runs open through its snowmaking capabilities.
—Katy Spratte Joyce, Travel + Leisure, 7 Feb. 2026
With less than four inches of rain since November, the South Florida Water Management District said water levels in the Biscayne Aquifer have fallen dramatically.
—Jenny Staletovich, Miami Herald, 7 Feb. 2026
Predicted 1 inches, high end 3 What time will the snow end in Rhode Island?
—Katie Landeck, The Providence Journal, 7 Feb. 2026
At Lake Tahoe level, 4 to 6 inches, with 6 to 12 inches along and west of Highway 89.
—Bay Area Weather Report, Mercury News, 7 Feb. 2026
The thickness of the ice is between 3/4 and 1½ inches.
—Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 7 Feb. 2026
Along Highway 395 near Bridgeport and Lee Vining, up to 2 inches.
—Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 7 Feb. 2026
Verb
Sierra Canyon will host Crespi on Saturday as the team inches closer to an undefeated Mission League campaign.
—Dan Lovi, Daily News, 22 Jan. 2026
Republicans can comfort themselves that a win is still a win—and that their House majority inches up to 220–213, at least until other vacancies kick in.
—Newsweek Editors, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Dec. 2025
The news comes as Hendricks Commercial Properties inches closer to a massive overhaul of the mall that could take years to complete.
—Jenny Porter Tilley, IndyStar, 21 Nov. 2025
Clemson also inches back up into the top 50 for beating Florida State.
—Chris Vannini, New York Times, 10 Nov. 2025
As Congress inches closer to a possible government shutdown, many federal services North Carolinians depend on might be disrupted.
—Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 30 Sep. 2025
Williams edged the Bills’ Josh Allen and Ravens’ Lamar Jackson for the honor, while Dolphins’ Tua Tagovailoa inches up one spot to 18th overall.
—Miami Herald, 23 Sep. 2025
With BeyondMimic, that vision inches closer to becoming everyday technology.
—Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 1 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inches
Noun
-
The ball of the shoe to the heel has a tapered height, with the heel reaching three inches for a little extra thickness.—
Olivia Dubyak,
Travel + Leisure,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Yabusele is a 6-foot-7 forward who makes up for a slight lack of height with a powerful frame and aggressive approach around the basket.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
As the Chinese men shoot the breeze and play cards, a mob of armed white miners gathers over the hill and encroaches on the unsuspecting outsiders.—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
26 Jan. 2026
-
Cloud Dancer, a white that is both warm and cool, reflects an overwhelmed feeling among consumers as the world feels louder and technology, in particular AI, encroaches further into our lives.—
Anna Kaufman,
USA Today,
4 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
The Game Night actor then sits down in a salon chair and jokingly drags Aniston for her lack of professionalism.—
Emma Banks,
InStyle,
3 Feb. 2026
-
Partial government shutdown drags on Meanwhile, a number of other federal agencies are snared in the funding standoff as the government went into a partial shutdown over the weekend.—
Lisa Mascaro,
Los Angeles Times,
1 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The few remaining individuals live in barren, rugged terrain at high elevations.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Feb. 2026
-
The higher elevation brings cool air, offering four seasons all with mild temperatures.—
Paige Moore,
AZCentral.com,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Ma crawls toward you and plants her palms on your cheeks.—
Molly Aitken,
New Yorker,
1 Feb. 2026
-
John Tufts The weather outside is about to get frightful as a potentially dangerous winter storm crawls its way across the country.—
John Tufts,
IndyStar,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Suspicion and shame drenched Hanceville like the fog that creeps down Main Street.—
Rob Picheta,
CNN Money,
7 Feb. 2026
-
Mintz agrees that intentional time matters, especially when guilt creeps in.—
Jennifer Jay Palumbo,
Forbes.com,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Other companies have incorporated AI into their Super Bowl commercials to a lesser extent, according to the outlet, and AI companies will return as well — a commercial from Anthropic pokes fun at ChatGPT incorporating ads.—
Rachyl Jones,
semafor.com,
4 Feb. 2026
-
Partnerships deserve thoughtfulness as romantic Venus pokes jolly Jupiter, activating your 7th House of Connections and your 12th House of Karma.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
31 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Inches.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inches. Accessed 12 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
