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
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Recent Examples of inches
Kansas City Star, 7 Oct. 2025
Over the next couple of days, 1 to 2 inches of rain are expected in southern Baja California Sur, with local totals up to 4 inches possible.
—Gabe Hauari, USA Today, 7 Oct. 2025
The first was over a decade ago, when a few inches of water coated her basement floors after a severe storm.
—Tamia Fowlkes, jsonline.com, 6 Oct. 2025
With five interior pockets and an extra two inches of expansion in each suitcase, these bags are super spacious and ideal for longer trips or family vacations.
—Jasmine Gomez, Travel + Leisure, 6 Oct. 2025
One of the most common diseases is large patch (Rhizoconia solani), which looks like round, discolored patches that range from a few inches to several feet in diameter.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 6 Oct. 2025
Remember, as little as 6 inches of moving water can knock you off your feet.
—Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 29 Sep. 2025
Children must be at least 42 inches tall.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Sep. 2025
Tropical storm warnings remain in effect for northwestern parts of the islands, with an additional 1 to 3 inches of rain expected to trigger flash flooding.
—Briana Waxman, CNN Money, 29 Sep. 2025
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
Lawrence attempted to go over the pile on a fourth-down snap from the 1-yard line, but Bolton greeted him there, slapping the ball away and forcing a fumble inches before the ball reached the line.
—Kansas City Star, 7 Oct. 2025
Over the next couple of days, 1 to 2 inches of rain are expected in southern Baja California Sur, with local totals up to 4 inches possible.
—Gabe Hauari, USA Today, 7 Oct. 2025
The first was over a decade ago, when a few inches of water coated her basement floors after a severe storm.
—Tamia Fowlkes, jsonline.com, 6 Oct. 2025
With five interior pockets and an extra two inches of expansion in each suitcase, these bags are super spacious and ideal for longer trips or family vacations.
—Jasmine Gomez, Travel + Leisure, 6 Oct. 2025
One of the most common diseases is large patch (Rhizoconia solani), which looks like round, discolored patches that range from a few inches to several feet in diameter.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 6 Oct. 2025
Remember, as little as 6 inches of moving water can knock you off your feet.
—Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 29 Sep. 2025
Children must be at least 42 inches tall.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Sep. 2025
Tropical storm warnings remain in effect for northwestern parts of the islands, with an additional 1 to 3 inches of rain expected to trigger flash flooding.
—Briana Waxman, CNN Money, 29 Sep. 2025
Verb
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
-
In an interview with Flow Space, pro runner D’Amato shares five lessons about finding joy in midlife by taking on new challenges—and battling the fear, doubt, and failure that come with the desire to reach new heights.—
Alexa Mikhail,
Flow Space,
3 Oct. 2025
-
The widest tree in Indiana, according to the registry, is a Silver Maple in Lawrence County with a circumference of 361 inches and a height of 103 feet.—
John Tufts,
IndyStar,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Apparently, our west block wall encroaches six feet into our neighbor’s back yard, which includes our swimming pool motor and related equipment.—
Christopher A. Combs,
AZCentral.com,
16 Sep. 2025
-
While a new generation of young singer-songwriters encroaches on country music’s old guard by the day, the Texas barnstormer has found his footing with a fan base hell-bent on capturing every moment Myers affords them.—
Josh Crutchmer,
Rolling Stone,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
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If the shutdown drags on for more than a few days, a report on inflation scheduled for mid-October could also be delayed.—
Scott Horsley,
NPR,
1 Oct. 2025
-
In a letter to agencies last week, the budget office instructed them to prepare for possible layoffs if the impasse drags on.—
Nik Popli,
Time,
30 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
McSweeney’s elevation appeared bizarre, but Bailey and his selection team have openly stated their belief that the Test team should contain the best six batters regardless of position.—
Sam Dalling,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
-
The McKenzie Pass section of the byway closes in winter due to its high elevation and snowy conditions, typically starting in early November.—
Abby Price,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Arisu crawls onto a mound of rubble for momentary relief, and is met with an angry Banda.—
Kayti Burt,
Time,
26 Sep. 2025
-
Gameplay begins as the player crawls from the wreckage.—
G Kirilloff,
Forbes.com,
18 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The Japanese influence creeps in again with a matcha white chocolate chip cookie.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
22 Sep. 2025
-
Employees notice the waves of shiny experiments that come and go (with no momentum), and cynicism creeps in.—
Aditya Vikram Kashyap,
Forbes.com,
18 Sep. 2025
Verb
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In a pair of promos shared to social media on Monday in support of her upcoming 12th studio album, The Life of a Showgirl (out Friday), the singer pokes some major fun at herself.—
Lauren Huff,
Entertainment Weekly,
30 Sep. 2025
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The trailer for Season 6 of Solar Opposites, released today, pokes fun of the show’s imminent end.—
Nellie Andreeva,
Deadline,
29 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Inches.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inches. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.
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