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

Five years later, as the assembly meets this week, the world's climate commitments are dangerously offtrack, and the phase down of coal is inching along. — ABC News, 26 Sep. 2026

The video shows the water inching along its path slower than a boy calmly walking ahead of it. — Dale Denwalt, Oklahoman, 22 Sep. 2026

The agency issued an order creating a temporary pathway for trading certain tokenized stocks, inching financial markets closer to 24/7 trading. — Talia Kaplan, CNBC, 22 Sep. 2026

California gas price climbed 16 cents in the past week, inching closer to the state’s all-time record. — Sacbee.com, 21 Sep. 2026

Now, in everything from deep indigo to faded washes, denim is once again inching wider at the hem, landing somewhere between a classic bootcut and a dramatic flare. — Amanda Le, InStyle, 20 Sep. 2026

Michigan's retail gas and diesel prices have risen noticeably every day this week, with gas prices inching closer to $5 a gallon and diesel prices continuing to set record highs, according to AAA's database. — Paula Wethington, CBS News, 18 Sep. 2026

Sergio Gutiérrez is inching toward a rare honor few people get. — Idaho Statesman, 16 Sep. 2026

And to add insult to injury for football fans, the Sunday Ticket has been inching up in price point. — Joshua Hong, Fortune, 15 Sep. 2026