1
as in encroaches
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
2
as in drags
to move slowly
the car inched carefully across the snow-covered causeway
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of inches
Star-Telegram Weather Bot, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Apr. 2026
By morning, nearly six inches of fresh Colorado powder had settled over the car, frosting its sharp lines and futuristic shape like confectioner’s sugar on a pastry.
—Sponsored Content, Denver Post, 4 Apr. 2026
The spikes to which Hoyland refers are conical racemes, up to 16 inches long, each of which may bear between 100 and 300 tubular, orange-red blooms.
—Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 4 Apr. 2026
If the probe penetrates less than 4 inches, the soil is considered compacted.
—Nora Doonan, Hartford Courant, 4 Apr. 2026
Inline drip looks like long, narrow hoses with holes every six or 12 inches.
—Nan Sterman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Apr. 2026
Then till the soil several inches deep.
—Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 4 Apr. 2026
Despite standing at 6-foot-2 and playing a game more suited for a forward six inches taller, Payton entered Friday night having made 16 consecutive field goals, the vast majority of them being opportunistic dunks and layups off smart cuts and putbacks.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 28 Mar. 2026
In these cases, a card or mobile wallet can be charged within inches.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 28 Mar. 2026
Erin Jones, CBS News, 7 Mar. 2026
Following a bout of social media virality, a scout with Troop 71047 named Pim has sold over 100,000 boxes of cookies and counting, and every sale inches her closer to breaking the record for most Girl Scout Cookies ever sold.
—Kate Perez, USA Today, 16 Feb. 2026
Sierra Canyon will host Crespi on Saturday as the team inches closer to an undefeated Mission League campaign.
—Dan Lovi, Daily News, 22 Jan. 2026
Republicans can comfort themselves that a win is still a win—and that their House majority inches up to 220–213, at least until other vacancies kick in.
—Newsweek Editors, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Dec. 2025
The news comes as Hendricks Commercial Properties inches closer to a massive overhaul of the mall that could take years to complete.
—Jenny Porter Tilley, IndyStar, 21 Nov. 2025
Clemson also inches back up into the top 50 for beating Florida State.
—Chris Vannini, New York Times, 10 Nov. 2025
As Congress inches closer to a possible government shutdown, many federal services North Carolinians depend on might be disrupted.
—Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 30 Sep. 2025
Williams edged the Bills’ Josh Allen and Ravens’ Lamar Jackson for the honor, while Dolphins’ Tua Tagovailoa inches up one spot to 18th overall.
—Miami Herald, 23 Sep. 2025
Noun
Remember, as little as 6 inches of moving water can knock you off your feet.
—Star-Telegram Weather Bot, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Apr. 2026
By morning, nearly six inches of fresh Colorado powder had settled over the car, frosting its sharp lines and futuristic shape like confectioner’s sugar on a pastry.
—Sponsored Content, Denver Post, 4 Apr. 2026
The spikes to which Hoyland refers are conical racemes, up to 16 inches long, each of which may bear between 100 and 300 tubular, orange-red blooms.
—Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 4 Apr. 2026
If the probe penetrates less than 4 inches, the soil is considered compacted.
—Nora Doonan, Hartford Courant, 4 Apr. 2026
Inline drip looks like long, narrow hoses with holes every six or 12 inches.
—Nan Sterman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Apr. 2026
Then till the soil several inches deep.
—Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 4 Apr. 2026
Despite standing at 6-foot-2 and playing a game more suited for a forward six inches taller, Payton entered Friday night having made 16 consecutive field goals, the vast majority of them being opportunistic dunks and layups off smart cuts and putbacks.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 28 Mar. 2026
In these cases, a card or mobile wallet can be charged within inches.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 28 Mar. 2026
Verb
The car inches forward but does not clear the way.
—Erin Jones, CBS News, 7 Mar. 2026
Following a bout of social media virality, a scout with Troop 71047 named Pim has sold over 100,000 boxes of cookies and counting, and every sale inches her closer to breaking the record for most Girl Scout Cookies ever sold.
—Kate Perez, USA Today, 16 Feb. 2026
Sierra Canyon will host Crespi on Saturday as the team inches closer to an undefeated Mission League campaign.
—Dan Lovi, Daily News, 22 Jan. 2026
Republicans can comfort themselves that a win is still a win—and that their House majority inches up to 220–213, at least until other vacancies kick in.
—Newsweek Editors, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Dec. 2025
The news comes as Hendricks Commercial Properties inches closer to a massive overhaul of the mall that could take years to complete.
—Jenny Porter Tilley, IndyStar, 21 Nov. 2025
Clemson also inches back up into the top 50 for beating Florida State.
—Chris Vannini, New York Times, 10 Nov. 2025
As Congress inches closer to a possible government shutdown, many federal services North Carolinians depend on might be disrupted.
—Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 30 Sep. 2025
Williams edged the Bills’ Josh Allen and Ravens’ Lamar Jackson for the honor, while Dolphins’ Tua Tagovailoa inches up one spot to 18th overall.
—Miami Herald, 23 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inches
Noun
-
An item that is adjustable will allow the user to lock in specific heights that work best for them.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Apr. 2026
-
At its height, a period extending from the middle of the 16th century to the beginning of the 18th, the Mughal Empire controlled almost the entire Indian subcontinent, marshaling vast amounts of money and manpower.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
As the Chinese men shoot the breeze and play cards, a mob of armed white miners gathers over the hill and encroaches on the unsuspecting outsiders.—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
26 Jan. 2026
-
Cloud Dancer, a white that is both warm and cool, reflects an overwhelmed feeling among consumers as the world feels louder and technology, in particular AI, encroaches further into our lives.—
Anna Kaufman,
USA Today,
4 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
As the war drags on, Americans are growing pessimistic about the economy, according to some surveys and polls.—
Bryan Mena,
CNN Money,
1 Apr. 2026
-
And in late February, just as attention began to shift away from Gaza, Israel and the United States launched a joint attack on Iran—a potentially epochal war that may end up dividing Jewish Americans no less than the Gaza war did, particularly if the conflict drags on and casualties mount.—
Eyal Press,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Honest conversations with a ‘collision communicator’ While Coen attributes a lot of Lloyd’s breakout success to his work ethic and tenacity, the Jaguars’ head coach also believes the elevation of the linebacker’s skill set came out of in-depth discussions last offseason.—
Mike Kaye
March 31,
Charlotte Observer,
31 Mar. 2026
-
This is the cloud forest, yes, but its elevation is actually lower, so those whose adjustment in the city was sketchy tend to find relief.—
Amy Drew Thompson,
The Orlando Sentinel,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
In the book, Grace drags Rocky back to his part of the ship, exposing himself to the Eridian environment; in the film, Rocky crawls back while Grace is unconscious.—
Matthew Razak,
Space.com,
23 Mar. 2026
-
The Shops at Yale recently announced the return of the New Haven food crawls and have added a date in December, according to a statement.—
Staff Report,
Hartford Courant,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The bottom line Concentration risk often creeps into your portfolio over time.—
Doug Ashburn,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
2 Apr. 2026
-
But as Mecklenburg County’s sprawl creeps its way into Union County, leaders are looking for ways to preserve the area’s rural feel the farmland that supports it.—
Briah Lumpkins,
Charlotte Observer,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Your 6th House of Health takes focus with the nurturing Moon there, though Luna also pokes expensive Jupiter in your 3rd House of Distractions.—
Tarot.com,
The Orlando Sentinel,
2 Apr. 2026
-
In April, ruby-red paintbrush pokes out of the ground, and in late summer, vibrant yellow rabbitbrush flowers join the mix.—
Madison Chapman,
Outside,
25 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Inches.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inches. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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