1
as in spice
the quality or state of being stimulating to the mind or senses
the barbecue sauce has a nip to it that balances out the sweetness
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in shred
a very small amount
I'll have just a nip of your sandwich
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in chill
an uncomfortable degree of coolness
there's a nip in the air today
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to shave
to make (something) shorter or smaller with the use of a cutting instrument
I'm just going to nip these hedges, and then I'll be done with the work outside
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
3
as in to steal
to take (something) without right and with an intent to keep
that guy nipped my wallet from the restaurant table when I turned away
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to hurry
to proceed or move quickly
I'll just nip off to the corner store for some milk
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 nip
Ron Estes, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2025
The affection can build up and lead to a slight nip at each other.
—Ron Estes, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2025
Elizabeth Crisp, The Hill, 8 Apr. 2025
Romulus and Remus are doing what puppies do: chasing, tussling, nipping, nuzzling.
—Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 7 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for nip
Noun
The affection can build up and lead to a slight nip at each other.
—Ron Estes, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2025
The affection can build up and lead to a slight nip at each other.
—Ron Estes, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2025
Verb
Boris Johnson had a fowl run-in at a wildlife park, with video posted online Sunday showing a feisty ostrich nipping at the former British prime minister’s arm during a sightseeing excursion.
—Elizabeth Crisp, The Hill, 8 Apr. 2025
Romulus and Remus are doing what puppies do: chasing, tussling, nipping, nuzzling.
—Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 7 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for nip
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nip
Verb
-
In a campus webinar Wednesday, Duke Executive Vice President Daniel Ennis and Antwan Lofton, its VP for human resources, summarized some of the actions Duke has taken or will be introducing in the coming weeks to shave costs.—
Michael T. Nietzel,
Forbes.com,
1 May 2025
-
Legislators may also take up legislation this year to shave off some of the tax revenue the state currently collects from property insurers and redirect it toward a grant program for fire-resistant roofs and vegetation management work.—
CalMatters,
Mercury News,
30 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
They’re made of a soft jersey fabric that feels comfortable against the skin, and the high waistband prevents pinching and rolling.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
23 Apr. 2025
-
Snipping or pinching off a few old flowers several times a week is much less daunting than waiting for the entire plant to be covered in them.—
Andy Wilcox,
Better Homes & Gardens,
15 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
The Pacers will return home for Games 5 and 7 (if necessary), which means the Bucks would need to steal two road wins to advance.—
Bryan Toporek,
Forbes.com,
23 Apr. 2025
-
The return would be enough to steal Abbott from the Reds.—
Ross Rosenfeld,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Ron hurried to change positions before the tom flew down.—
Thomas Weddle,
Outdoor Life,
17 Apr. 2025
-
Traders in January hurried to build up inventories ahead of tariffs, according to a recent USA TODAY analysis.—
Dian Zhang,
USA Today,
17 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
The state says the rule is crucial to meeting greenhouse gas emission reduction targets and cutting smog-forming pollutants.—
David Shepardson,
USA Today,
29 Apr. 2025
-
With the new order, Trump is threatening to cut federal funds to cities and states his Administration decides are blocking his mass deportation effort.—
Brian Bennett,
Time,
29 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
At the lowest income levels, only about 13% of households held retirement accounts in 2022, according to the federal Survey of Consumer Finances.—
Daniel de Visé,
USA Today,
23 Apr. 2025
-
Booker really excells as a run blocker, using his massive frame to push weaker offensive lineman around and hold his ground against speed-rushers.—
Josh Hammer,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
The team was inspired by the taxonomy of gestures used with 2D elastic displays and touch screens: swiping, for instance, or pinching in and out to make an image larger or smaller.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
30 Apr. 2025
-
Recent studies show what many daters already feel: swiping through endless profiles can sap your mental health.—
Ximena Araya-Fischel,
Forbes.com,
29 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Over three seasons at Alabama, his sideline-to-sideline speed showed through, as did his ability to rush the quarterback.—
Brooks Kubena,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2025
-
Jeanty was a Heisman finalist after leading Division I with 2,601 rushing yards and averaging 7.0 yards per carry.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
25 Apr. 2025
Video
'Nip it in the butt' or 'Nip it in the bud'?
We're gonna stop you right there
Cite this Entry
“Nip.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nip. Accessed 5 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share