1
as in imperceptible
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2
as in ambling
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Dissimilar Words
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
2
as in dragging
to move slowly
the car inched carefully across the snow-covered causeway
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Recent Examples of inching
Bloomberg, Oc Register, 16 Jan. 2026
Starting small at first, eventually inching step-by-step to the biggest stages.
—Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 14 Jan. 2026
The Yankees and free agent Cody Bellinger are inching toward a deal, but as Brendan Kuty reports, Bellinger’s standing in the free-agent market is a point of contention.
—Chris Branch, New York Times, 13 Jan. 2026
Kiley and health care issues Kiley has been inching away from other Republicans in some matters lately.
—David Lightman, Sacbee.com, 13 Jan. 2026
The move signals the governor is inching closer to a full mobilization of the state’s National Guard in response to the death of Renee Nicole Good, who was killed by an ICE officer after allegedly trying to run him over.
—Ross O'Keefe, The Washington Examiner, 8 Jan. 2026
The Knicks are also inching closer to Josh Hart’s return from a severe ankle sprain sustained on Christmas Day against the Cavaliers.
—Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 5 Jan. 2026
McKinney National Airport is steadily inching closer to becoming the third commercial airport in the D-FW metro area later this year.
—Dallas Morning News, 1 Jan. 2026
Trump has been pushing for a deal to end the almost four-year-long war, and in recent weeks peace efforts led by Witkoff and Kushner have been slowly inching forward.
—Reuters, NBC news, 25 Dec. 2025
Verb
Its market capitalization is inching toward $1 trillion — a first for a US retailer — on the heels of strong growth and tech investments.
—Bloomberg, Oc Register, 16 Jan. 2026
Starting small at first, eventually inching step-by-step to the biggest stages.
—Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 14 Jan. 2026
The Yankees and free agent Cody Bellinger are inching toward a deal, but as Brendan Kuty reports, Bellinger’s standing in the free-agent market is a point of contention.
—Chris Branch, New York Times, 13 Jan. 2026
Kiley and health care issues Kiley has been inching away from other Republicans in some matters lately.
—David Lightman, Sacbee.com, 13 Jan. 2026
The move signals the governor is inching closer to a full mobilization of the state’s National Guard in response to the death of Renee Nicole Good, who was killed by an ICE officer after allegedly trying to run him over.
—Ross O'Keefe, The Washington Examiner, 8 Jan. 2026
The Knicks are also inching closer to Josh Hart’s return from a severe ankle sprain sustained on Christmas Day against the Cavaliers.
—Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 5 Jan. 2026
McKinney National Airport is steadily inching closer to becoming the third commercial airport in the D-FW metro area later this year.
—Dallas Morning News, 1 Jan. 2026
Trump has been pushing for a deal to end the almost four-year-long war, and in recent weeks peace efforts led by Witkoff and Kushner have been slowly inching forward.
—Reuters, NBC news, 25 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inching
Adjective
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For those with naturally light hair like content creator Gina Drewalowski, icy blonde highlights will make grays look practically imperceptible.—
Ariel Wodarcyk,
InStyle,
21 Jan. 2026
-
While imperceptible to humans, these tiny delays are significant for experiments that rely on pulsars as ultra-precise cosmic clocks, the researchers say, particularly efforts to detect low-frequency gravitational waves and to search for signs of intelligent life beyond Earth.—
Sharmila Kuthunur,
Space.com,
16 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Amazon has been increasingly encroaching on Walmart’s turf, even as Walmart bolsters its e-commerce operations, signaling its intent to further expand its physical footprint and grocery offerings.—
Bloomberg,
Oc Register,
16 Jan. 2026
-
Trimming encroaching ivy protects fences, trees, and property by preventing rot, storm damage, and moisture buildup that attracts pests.—
SJ McShane,
Martha Stewart,
14 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Traditionally, the geometry of smooth shapes has advanced much faster, dragging the less developed theory of discrete geometry along behind it.—
Elise Cutts,
Quanta Magazine,
20 Jan. 2026
-
The Center for Coastal Studies said a Plymouth, Massachusetts resident who was watching whales through a spotting scope on Saturday alerted them that a whale was dragging a buoy.—
Neal Riley,
CBS News,
20 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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But the small lineup has helped with spacing, creating more driving lanes for Dent while also allowing Bilodeau to beat more plodding counterparts on offense.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Wisconsin was one of the nation’s most plodding teams under former coach Bo Ryan and continued that way under former assistant Greg Gard, as recently as two seasons ago ranking in the 300s in Division I in tempo.—
Mark Zeigler,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
25 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Its ribbed hem and cuffs give it that bomber structure, but also help seal the jacket to prevent drafts from creeping in.—
Jasmine Gomez,
Travel + Leisure,
19 Jan. 2026
-
But now prediction markets are creeping into the mainstream.—
Saahil Desai,
The Atlantic,
17 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Set the scene for a romantic dinner or fun Galentine's event with this two-pack of tapered candles that are covered with a cute pattern of Xs and Os and lip prints.—
Michele Laufik,
Martha Stewart,
12 Jan. 2026
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Featuring an oversized cardigan paired with tapered pants, it can easily be paired with a simple tank top, T-shirt, or turtleneck when things get a bit chillier.—
Aly Walansky,
Travel + Leisure,
10 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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On the one hand, that means that many survive the disease without serious lingering effects.—
Katherine J. Wu,
The Atlantic,
18 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
The hand needed sufficient actuators to carry multiple objects while crawling, so joint torque limits, motor size, and 3D-printing constraints informed finger length, placement, and body geometry.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
21 Jan. 2026
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Videos from people on site show some passengers crawling out of windows to escape the wreckage, with carriages leaning at an angle.—
Joseph Wilson,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Inching.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inching. Accessed 23 Jan. 2026.
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