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

Fears mount that Yemen is inching closer to a return to a civil war that killed 150,000 before a 2022 ceasefire. — Arkansas Online, 15 Sep. 2026

Rather than inching toward a conclusion, the war is escalating. — Michael Kimmage, Foreign Affairs, 14 Sep. 2026

Jagannathan’s excellent performance captures all this and more, inching as close to the emotional extremes of those around her without quite being able to experience them. — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 13 Sep. 2026

Iryna Rybakova is horribly aware that the front line is inching toward Kramatorsk. — Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 9 Sep. 2026

The feeling shared by numerous power players interviewed by Variety is that Netflix — the great Hollywood disruptor — is inching closer to embracing the roughly 130-year tradition of theatrical exhibition. — Matt Donnelly, Variety, 8 Sep. 2026

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