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inroad

inroad

24 7.2
Progress that slowly takes away customers or sales, like a new product entering a market
  • noun
  • /ˈɪnˌroʊd/
translation icon : avance
  • In the election, however, the ANC failed to make any significant inroads into racial minority communities.
  • make inroads
  • significant inroads
  • deep inroads

And Harvey Milk is the most connected guy in the Castro, and he offers to help them make inroads with the gay bars.

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Examples

  • When foreign goods began to make inroads, the response was defensive and protectionist.

    Academic text (1993)
  • Furthermore, Argentina had made few inroads into markets for more sophisticated products, where price might be less critical.

    Academic text (2001)
  • We could get an inroad into consumer and retail banking.

  • Believe it or not, we scientists are making huge inroads into that area.

  • Women have made tremendous inroads into distance running in the past two decades.

    Academic text (2000)
  • Despite these hurdles, some classes of smart materials are currently making inroads in a variety of commercial applications.

    Academic text (2002)
  • English is making inroads through consumer goods such as video rentals and cable television.

    Academic text (1991)
  • We have made several new inroads since integrating the health and literacy components of the project.

    Academic text (1993)
  • We've seen major inroads in HIV in sub-Saharan Africa.

  • The new smartphone series is making significant inroads into the competitive tech market.

Synonyms

invasion
vsinroad
52 4.2

A sudden large group of animals or people entering a place

is a targeted advance into a field that affects it rather than mass entry
incursion
vsinroad
15 8.0

Entry into a place that is sudden and unwanted, often by many people or things

is a sustained advance that affects an area rather than a quick raid
encroachment
vsinroad
4 7.4

Slow unwanted spreading into an area that changes how people live

is a noticeable advance that affects the area rather than slow spread
1 6.1

A big step forward in one area of work or study

is the general word for an advance that affects an area not only huge

Antonyms

281 4.1

Removing people or things from a place

129 1.0

The act of leaving a place or situation

Compounds

A big step forward in one area of work or study

How Significant

invasion
52 4.2
incursion
15 8.0
inroad
24 7.2
to advance
417 3.4

Surface Forms

inroad singular
inroads plural

Etymology

Inroad comes from the parts in- ('into') and road ('way' or 'path'). So to make inroads into a market or field is like making a 'way in' — an advance that begins to enter and change that area.