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

Chris Bell is inching closer and closer to making his NFL debut on Friday in the Miami Dolphins’ preseason finale against the Atlanta Falcons. — Omar Kelly august 25, Miami Herald, 25 Aug. 2026

Given the city’s limited ability to enforce the fines, Rowan acknowledged uncertainty about whether speeds will begin inching back up. — Jakob Rodgers, Mercury News, 20 Aug. 2026

The United States and Canada are inching closer to a deal to avert the imposition of punitive 50 percent tariffs on such Canadian products as hockey sticks, wine and cement, according to industry executives and trade specialists following the talks. — David J. Lynch, Washington Post, 15 Aug. 2026

For the past few years, Google’s battery capacity has been inching upward, but the Pixel 11 series bizarrely reverses that trend. — ArsTechnica, 12 Aug. 2026

Last week, Indiana County was added to the list with three cases, showing the outbreak inching closer to the area. — Lauren Linder, CBS News, 10 Aug. 2026

Meanwhile, diplomacy is inching forward over the Strait of Hormuz, and a Federal Reserve policymaker is warming to future rate hikes. — Anniek Bao, CNBC, 6 Aug. 2026

Tom Brady’s two teenage sons are inching closer and closer to his 6’4 stature. — Juliana Ukiomogbe, InStyle, 29 July 2026

Firefighters in France and Spain are racing to contain wildfires inching closer to Bordeaux and Madrid. — Simmone Shah, Time, 28 July 2026