Synonyms of inching

inching 1 of 2

adjective

1

as in imperceptible

Related Words

• imperceptible
• stepped
• tapered
• gradual
• progressive
• phased
• piecemeal
• incremental
• step-by-step
• decrescent
• increscent
• gradational

Dissimilar Words

• sudden
• abrupt
• sharp
• acute
• discontinuous
• dynamic
• saltatory
• volatile
• changeable
• meteoric

2

as in ambling

Related Words

• ambling
• plodding
• lingering
• shuffling
• loitering
• slowing
• strolling
• heavy-footed
• creeping
• lounging
• tarrying
• lethargic
• slow-footed
• decelerating
• dragging
• crawling
• inert
• inactive
• lagging
• deliberate
• loafing
• leisurely
• poking
• stalling
• dilatory
• procrastinating
• measured
• unhurried
• tardy
• dallying
• laggard
• sluggish
• dillydallying
• poky
• slow
• languid
• dawdling
• filibustering
• snail-paced
• snaillike

Dissimilar Words

• rapid
• rushing
• running
• speeding
• swift
• speedy
• rocketing
• brisk
• quick
• flying
• lightning
• fast
• racing
• breathless
• hasty
• ready
• bolting
• meteoric
• dizzy
• fleet
• whirlwind
• hurrying
• expeditious
• prompt
• barreling
• scooting
• snappy
• zipping
• careering
• scurrying
• breakneck
• accelerated
• whirling
• warp-speed
• scudding
• whisking
• quickened
• hastened
• rushed
• hurried

inching

2 of 2

verb

present participle of inch

1

as in encroaching

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

• encroaching
• creeping
• worming
• sneaking
• invading
• snaking
• entrenching
• impinging
• intruding
• overshooting
• infringing
• overstepping
• overrunning
• overreaching
• overpassing

2

as in dragging

to move slowly

the car inched carefully across the snow-covered causeway

Synonyms & Similar Words

• dragging
• creeping
• crawling
• shuffling
• poking
• slouching
• limping
• oozing
• snailing
• nosing
• creaking (along)
• plodding
• trudging
• shambling
• tramping
• lumbering

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• flying
• speeding
• racing
• floating
• zipping
• gliding
• whizzing
• sailing
• tearing
• hurrying

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of inching

Verb

With Snell working back and Tyler Glasnow inching closer to facing live hitters, the Dodgers’ brass hopes to have their starting staff back at full strength by late August. — Katie Woo, New York Times, 19 July 2026

The fitness legend began inching back into the spotlight in 2024 and was working on a Broadway musical of his life story at the time of his death. — Kelly Allen, PEOPLE, 13 July 2026

The line is inching along slowly, and the clouds are threatening rain, but no one seems bothered. — Natan Dvir, Curbed, 13 July 2026

SpaceX — Elon Musk’s rocket company tumbled to a fresh post-IPO low, inching closer to its offering price of $135. — Davis Giangiulio, CNBC, 13 July 2026

Now in its 118th season, Quassy Amusement Park on Lake Quassapaug in Connecticut claimed the top spot, inching out major parks across the country. — Carly Caramanna, Travel + Leisure, 13 July 2026

With the salary cap inching, rather than leaping, upwards, those motivations have only become stronger. — Lev Akabas, Sportico.com, 9 July 2026

Royals manager Matt Quatraro announced that first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino is inching closer to returning from his injury. — Kansas City Star, 9 July 2026

The Guajes de Ayala community had warned law enforcement that the cartel was closing in on their town and also shared videos of cartel drones hovering overhead and the location of cartel fighters inching closer to their homes on social media. — ABC News, 8 July 2026