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Synonyms

inshore

American  
[in-shawr, -shohr] / ˈɪnˈʃɔr, -ˈʃoʊr /

adjective

  1. close or closer to the shore.

  2. lying near the shore; operating or carried on close to the shore.

    inshore fishing.


adverb

  1. toward the shore.

    They went closer inshore.

inshore British  
/ ˈɪnˈʃɔː /

adjective

  1. in or on the water, but close to the shore

    inshore weather

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

adverb

  1. towards the shore from the water

    an inshore wind

    we swam inshore

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of inshore

First recorded in 1695–1705; in- 1 + shore 1

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.

See Examples For:

Three of New Zealand’s eight navy ships—two offshore patrol vessels and one inshore patrol vessel—were mothballed.

From The Wall Street Journal Mar. 25, 2026

Social, economic and environmental impact assessments are currently being undertaken for inshore MPAs ahead of public consultation on the proposals for fisheries management measures.

From BBC Sep. 23, 2024

The RNLI's inshore lifeboat was launched from Eastbourne within 11 minutes and they were both brought to safety.

From BBC May 31, 2024

“It can be really deceptive when you see a lot inshore and you see bluefish nipping at menhaden in the fall.”

From Slate Feb. 4, 2024

Shrimp, too, depend on inshore feeding grounds for their young.

From "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson

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