as in incursions
a sudden attack on and entrance into hostile territory
the army is finally making inroads into enemy territory
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Recent Examples of inroads
With a roster of 550 cars on launch day, any inroads to a better experience for builders must map onto a massive variety of vehicles, from tiny kei vans to burly off-roaders.
—
Adam Ismail, The Drive, 19 Mar. 2026
Haitian police on Monday reported that several gang members were killed Monday and their weapons seized as police continued to make inroads in reclaiming parts of downtown Port-au-Prince.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 17 Mar. 2026
China has attempted to make inroads for the past several years to buy oil in yuan, particularly in Saudi Arabia, but with limited success.
—Tim Lister, CNN Money, 16 Mar. 2026
No one seems to dispute it—even with the inroads David Ellison has lately made.
—Geoff Colvin, Fortune, 13 Mar. 2026
The commission’s vote doesn’t automatically kill the Costco project, but at the very least is a hard setback after the company appeared to be making inroads against local opposition.
—Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 13 Mar. 2026
The regulations stymied plans by China’s EV giant BYD to make inroads in India, while high profile Chinese investors pulled out of deals involving Indian startups.
—J.d. Capelouto, semafor.com, 10 Mar. 2026
Defense technology has been an attractive area of investment as startups make inroads with the Pentagon, which for decades has relied on a handful of legacy companies.
—Bloomberg, Oc Register, 3 Mar. 2026
Honor Honor Magic V6 foldable phone While Samsung dominates the foldable smartphone category with its Galaxy Z Fold line of devices, Honor is trying to make inroads into the premium segment with its foldable V series of devices, featuring ultra-thin batteries.
—Arjun Kharpal, CNBC, 1 Mar. 2026
Adam Ismail, The Drive, 19 Mar. 2026
Haitian police on Monday reported that several gang members were killed Monday and their weapons seized as police continued to make inroads in reclaiming parts of downtown Port-au-Prince.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 17 Mar. 2026
China has attempted to make inroads for the past several years to buy oil in yuan, particularly in Saudi Arabia, but with limited success.
—Tim Lister, CNN Money, 16 Mar. 2026
No one seems to dispute it—even with the inroads David Ellison has lately made.
—Geoff Colvin, Fortune, 13 Mar. 2026
The commission’s vote doesn’t automatically kill the Costco project, but at the very least is a hard setback after the company appeared to be making inroads against local opposition.
—Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 13 Mar. 2026
The regulations stymied plans by China’s EV giant BYD to make inroads in India, while high profile Chinese investors pulled out of deals involving Indian startups.
—J.d. Capelouto, semafor.com, 10 Mar. 2026
Defense technology has been an attractive area of investment as startups make inroads with the Pentagon, which for decades has relied on a handful of legacy companies.
—Bloomberg, Oc Register, 3 Mar. 2026
Honor Honor Magic V6 foldable phone While Samsung dominates the foldable smartphone category with its Galaxy Z Fold line of devices, Honor is trying to make inroads into the premium segment with its foldable V series of devices, featuring ultra-thin batteries.
—Arjun Kharpal, CNBC, 1 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inroads
Noun
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Journalists and other political figures have pointed to the history of Israeli incursions into south Lebanon in suggesting that any occupation of Lebanese territory now might again lead the country to strategic failure.—
Asher Kaufman,
The Conversation,
20 Mar. 2026
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Those same merchants and planters were also heavily involved in the first Portuguese incursions into mainland Central Africa, which resulted in the establishment of the colony of Angola in 1575—a key lever for the slave trade’s growth.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
19 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The ringing of the noon bell was first ordered by Pope Callistus III in the 1400s to remind the faithful to pray for protection against the Turkish invasions.—
Mike DeSimone,
Robb Report,
19 Mar. 2026
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The industry sees dozens of violent attacks a year—kidnappings, home invasions, armed robberies.—
Clara Molot,
Vanity Fair,
17 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The raids at Prime Social and Post Oak Poker Club led to the arrest of nine people associated with the clubs, according to ABC13.—
Marley Malenfant,
Austin American Statesman,
20 Mar. 2026
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Last week’s deployment of the 31st MEU to the Middle East has sparked speculation as to whether they might be used to seize Kharg Island in the Persian Gulf -- crucial to Iran's oil trade -- or carry out raids on the Iranian shoreline around the Strait of Hormuz.—
Luis Martinez,
ABC News,
20 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Inroads.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inroads. Accessed 25 Mar. 2026.
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