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
  • Inmates on the first step could be out of isolation and in a group setting for four hours a day, said Raemisch, the former head of the Colorado prison system.
    Gavin Off, Charlotte Observer, 30 May 2025
  • While San Diego police banned the carotid restraint, the lawsuit alleges the department did not take steps to address the risks of holding people facedown.
    City News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 May 2025
Noun
  • Over four decades, the theater continues to bring that sense of joy on its three stages: the Vivian Beaumont, the Mitzi E. Newhouse, and its newest stage, the Claire Tow.
    Jeryl Brunner, Forbes.com, 29 May 2025
  • These strains independently evolved similar reductions in the pla gene during the later stages of the first and second plague pandemics and in three samples from the third pandemic that were uncovered in present day Vietnam.
    Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 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
  • Further afield is the prospect of an India-EU FTA, although that process has dragged on for a decade.
    Vasuki Shastry, Forbes.com, 24 May 2025
  • That dragged its stock down even though the company also reported a better profit for the latest quarter than expected.
    Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 23 May 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
  • Now the next chapter in South Africa’s history is being written by a new generation with remarkably high hopes.
    Clarence Page, Chicago Tribune, 26 May 2025
Verb
  • The woman crawled to her bathroom and pulled the emergency cord, then the facility staff called 911, deputies said.
    Olivia Lloyd, Sun Sentinel, 22 May 2025
  • Here, 15 of the softest sheets that will convince you that crawling into bed at 9 p.m. is equivalent to self-care.
    Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 16 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Inch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inch. Accessed 5 Jun. 2025.

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