inch
noun
a unit of length, 1/12 (0.0833) foot, equivalent to 2.54 centimeters. in.
has been inching
-
present perfect progressiveof inch (3rd person singular).present perfect progressive
Used to describe an action that began in the past, has continued continuously, and is still in progress.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Even though the company has been inching closer to 1 billion users, it has struggled to turn a profit.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 15, 2026
Everton is unbeaten in its past three league games - with two wins - and has been inching up the table after barely avoiding relegation for two straight seasons.
From Washington Times ● Nov. 11, 2023
“Spotted lanternfly has been inching closer to the Midwest and Illinois for close to a decade,” said Jerry Costello II, director of the Illinois Department of Agriculture, in a statement.
From Seattle Times ● Sep. 28, 2023
Apple has been inching toward that sort of messaging from the very beginning.
From The Verge ● Sep. 9, 2022
Even though baseball spent decades seeming to abhor the very idea that anyone would bet on games, current MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred has been inching toward an association between baseball and betting for years.
From Washington Post ● May 10, 2021
