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
That said, international filmmaking is in feeble shape, partly because of the jambalaya of international co-productions, partly because of the inroads of television aesthetics, and partly because of the cloistered aestheticism of self-conscious art-house cinema.
—
Richard Brody, New Yorker, 22 Jan. 2026
Big Tech’s relentless public push marks a break from previous years, including through the Biden administration, when companies struggled to make inroads at the White House and kept a lower profile.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 22 Jan. 2026
Canada and Brussels are poised to drop tariffs, and BYD is already making inroads in Mexico despite 50% duties.
—Tim McDonnell, semafor.com, 22 Jan. 2026
There are several other companies looking to make inroads in the space.
—Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 22 Jan. 2026
That language seems more geared for progressives than moderates, indicating Murphy may be resisting a label as a conservative and wants to make inroads with more liberal voters.
—Joe Battenfeld, Boston Herald, 20 Jan. 2026
At the same time, the producers have made notable inroads into the arthouse mainstream since partnering with Juliette Schrameck to launch the production outfit Lumen in 2024.
—Ben Croll, Variety, 9 Jan. 2026
With less regulatory red tape there has been more M & A activity in the sector and Regions themselves at a $25 billion valuation could be a desirable dance partner for a larger bank looking to make deep inroads into the southeast.
—Jay Woods, CNBC, 8 Jan. 2026
This is where the Illinois GOP must make inroads.
—Paul Miller, Chicago Tribune, 8 Jan. 2026
Richard Brody, New Yorker, 22 Jan. 2026
Big Tech’s relentless public push marks a break from previous years, including through the Biden administration, when companies struggled to make inroads at the White House and kept a lower profile.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 22 Jan. 2026
Canada and Brussels are poised to drop tariffs, and BYD is already making inroads in Mexico despite 50% duties.
—Tim McDonnell, semafor.com, 22 Jan. 2026
There are several other companies looking to make inroads in the space.
—Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 22 Jan. 2026
That language seems more geared for progressives than moderates, indicating Murphy may be resisting a label as a conservative and wants to make inroads with more liberal voters.
—Joe Battenfeld, Boston Herald, 20 Jan. 2026
At the same time, the producers have made notable inroads into the arthouse mainstream since partnering with Juliette Schrameck to launch the production outfit Lumen in 2024.
—Ben Croll, Variety, 9 Jan. 2026
With less regulatory red tape there has been more M & A activity in the sector and Regions themselves at a $25 billion valuation could be a desirable dance partner for a larger bank looking to make deep inroads into the southeast.
—Jay Woods, CNBC, 8 Jan. 2026
This is where the Illinois GOP must make inroads.
—Paul Miller, Chicago Tribune, 8 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inroads
Noun
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Ground forces, meanwhile, were employed as a blocking force for most of the conflict, preventing Iraqi incursions into Saudi Arabia while airpower systematically dismantled the Iraqi military apparatus and the regime that controlled it.—
David A. Deptula,
Forbes.com,
16 Jan. 2026
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But what has transpired in practice is that cops are sorely missed during ICE incursions.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Jan. 2026
Noun
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One of America’s most important – and secretive – overseas assets, Diego Garcia has helped launch two invasions of Iraq, served as a vital landing spot for bombers that fly missions across Asia, and has been linked to US rendition efforts.—
Christian Edwards,
CNN Money,
20 Jan. 2026
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Fears persist that when elections, politics and foreign invasions become a gamble that insiders could abuse their access for profit and market odds could influence what actually happens.—
Bobby Allyn,
NPR,
17 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Several months later, aggressive immigration raids began in Los Angeles before expanding to other communities across the country, including in Chicago, Portland and Minnesota.—
Sean Emery,
Oc Register,
24 Jan. 2026
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Ongoing violent conflicts continue across the country between ICE agents and those opposed to immigration raids and arrests.—
J.D. Miles,
CBS News,
23 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Inroads.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inroads. Accessed 24 Jan. 2026.
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