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

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

Credit, perhaps, the rain chances, which are forecast to increase on the weekend to just above 50% Saturday and around 30% Sunday, before inching back up to 40% on Monday and Tuesday, according to the weather service. — Howard Cohen july 29, Miami Herald, 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

Wallen has a pair of singles inching their way toward becoming top 10 smashes on the busiest radio tally in the nation. — Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 25 July 2026

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

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