inch 1 of 2

1
2
as in stage
an individual part of a process, series, or ranking inch by inch, we're making progress toward our fund-raising goal

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3
as in height
inches plural the distance of something or someone from bottom to top made the most of her inches by standing on her tiptoes to reach the top shelf

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inch

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to encroach
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

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2

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of inch
Noun
For a small terrarium with three plants on her desk in her windowless office, Tuttle outfits an adjustable desk lamp with an LED bulb and places it 6 to 12 inches from the plants. The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 May 2025 The modern-style armchairs are roomy, measuring just under 20 inches wide and 18 inches deep, complemented by comfortable, wide armrests for optimal lounging. Alexandra Kay, People.com, 31 May 2025
Verb
Shares of Ralph Lauren company inched up 1.5 percent to $278 in premarket trading. Evan Clark, Footwear News, 22 May 2025 Confronting the Norm After 25 years without improving on Erdős’ original result, mathematicians finally began inching forward. Leila Sloman, Quanta Magazine, 22 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for inch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inch
Noun
  • Take steps to keep your financial records and personally identifying information secure.
    Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 30 May 2025
  • Right-handed relief is another matter, and the Dodgers took the first step toward shoring up that area Thursday by acquiring Alexis Díaz from the Cincinnati Reds.
    Ken Rosenthal, New York Times, 30 May 2025
Noun
  • In addition to reprising her role as Charlotte York in its film adaptations and Max's And Just Like That…, Davis has nabbed numerous parts on the screen and the stage since the series wrapped in 2004.
    Skyler Caruso, People.com, 29 May 2025
  • But headlining the main stage this summer is going to be something else entirely!
    Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 29 May 2025
Noun
  • Choosing perennials with long bloom times, along with different heights and colors, adds charm and depth to the garden.
    Lauren David, Southern Living, 1 June 2025
  • Budget $300 to $500 for these pots, preferably in two or three different heights.
    The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 May 2025
Verb
  • Cities vehemently opposed the bill, saying the changes would encroach on their ability to deal with crimes specific to their areas.
    Sam Tabachnik, Denver Post, 16 May 2025
  • Mining activity—specifically gold mining and exploration of other minerals—encroached on nearby land in the Yellowstone River watershed.
    Bill Frist, Forbes.com, 13 May 2025
Verb
  • Over the Great Plains, the high-level flow of winds has been pushing the smoke south, and shifting upper-level winds from the west will drag the smoke over the eastern states, according to The Weather Channel.
    Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 5 June 2025
  • The phone call between Trump and Putin came as the war, which has dragged on for nearly 3.5 years, shows no signs of abating despite mounting pressure for a diplomatic breakthrough.
    Nik Popli, Time, 4 June 2025
Noun
  • Pass's rich tone arose from a combination of using a pick and playing closer to the guitar neck.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 31 May 2025
  • One of the victims was slashed in the neck, cops said.
    Emma Seiwell, New York Daily News, 31 May 2025
Noun
  • After six seasons and eight years, The Handmaid's Tale has finally written its last chapter.
    EW.com, EW.com, 27 May 2025
  • The first chapter of the new book Tearing Down the Orange Curtain: How Punk Rock Brought Orange County to the World, like its unfurling title, leaves you a bit breathless.
    Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 26 May 2025
Verb
  • The Zenbook crawled to the finish line in every test.
    PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 29 May 2025
  • The men allegedly crawled out of the hole to a loading dock, scaled an exterior concrete wall of the jail complex and darted across a freeway to freedom.
    Kati Weis, CBS News, 29 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Inch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inch. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.

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