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clip 1 of 2

verb

Definition of clipnext
1
as in to shave
to make (something) shorter or smaller with the use of a cutting instrument a mother who's sad to see her little boy's curls clipped for the first time

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to hit
to deliver a blow to (someone or something) usually in a strong vigorous manner the pitch clipped the batter's helmet with enough force to knock it clean off his head

Synonyms & Similar Words

clip

2 of 2

noun

as in blow
a hard strike with a part of the body or an instrument an unexpectedly low branch dealt him a clip to the head

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 clip
Verb
Once the rumbling stopped, Armas -- in gym shorts and a T-shirt with his gear clipped to his belt -- and Buckley led a group of civilians and FDNY members outside. — ABC News, 8 Sep. 2026 Some shoppers say these earrings also clip easily onto their purses as chic and elevated bag charms. — Tim Chan, Footwear News, 7 Sep. 2026
Noun
But arguably the Bertolucci film that might have spoken the loudest to that generation, 2003’s The Dreamers — a Jules et Jim-like romantic triangle set against the 1968 Paris student riots — is dispensed with in a brief clip or two, sans commentary. — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 9 Sep. 2026 In the clip, the camera operator points behind Seidel seconds before the wave hits. — Melina Khan, USA Today, 9 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for clip
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clip
  1. shave
  2. hit
  3. blow
  4. cut
  5. punch
  6. swipe
  7. trim
  8. slap
Verb
  • Starting Friday, a cooling trend will shave degrees off daily highs through at least Sunday.
    — Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2026
  • Price is the easy rung One response by the travel industry has been to shave the single supplement.
    — Peter McGraw, The Conversation, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of shave
Verb
  • If the Sabres can find some more success with the man advantage, Thompson shouldn’t have much trouble hitting the 40-goal mark again.
    — Matthew Fairburn, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
  • Japan's 10-year government bond yield recently breached 3%, hitting a high not seen in roughly 30 years.
    — , CNBC, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of hit
Noun
  • There have been plenty of in-game rotations, promising combinations, fluidity and creativity, but without the delivery of a final hammer blow.
    — Cerys Jones, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
  • The residents had sustained another blow when my friend, John Ahern, was a passenger on Pan Am Flight 103 that exploded on December 21, 1988 from a terrorist bomb over Lockerbie, Scotland.
    — Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of blow
Verb
  • North Carolina Democrats in the state’s House of Representatives cut all ties with one of their candidates running for the state legislature after her past social media posts about violence against Republicans came to light.
    — David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 11 Sep. 2026
  • Krohn put in new sprinklers and fire-safety systems after his last renters moved out a few years ago, then cut a hole between the second and third floors, allowing more light and air to filter through what is now a unified owner’s duplex.
    — Adriane Quinlan, Curbed, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of cut
Verb
  • One 49ers linebacker, Dre Greenlaw, held up Rams tight end Tyler Higbee after a short reception early in the fourth quarter, allowing the other, Fred Warner, to swoop in and punch the ball loose.
    — Matt Barrows, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
  • The nonprofit thrift store in Homer Glen has been about six years in the making and opened its doors Thursday as cars parked in a nearby overflow lot and customers enjoyed punch and cookies while browsing through the displays.
    — Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of punch
Noun
  • Last month, Vance hurled himself into an obscure debate over burrito prices to make a gratuitous swipe at a conservative Washington Post columnist’s weight.
    — Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 5 Sep. 2026
  • For those who take pride in their pouty lips (or their ability to talk their way out of just about anything), a swipe of lipstick and nothing else is a cool way to look put together without the hustle of actually putting yourself together.
    — Loren Savini, Allure, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of swipe
Verb
  • People were fatally hit while hiking, kayaking, riding a Jet Ski, sitting on the beach, swimming, trimming trees and walking to their car, according to an incident chart on the National Lightning Safety Council website.
    — Stephen Hudak, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 Sep. 2026
  • Airlines responded to these higher fuel costs by raising fare, trimming less-profitable flights and rethinking growth plans.
    — Mia Osmonbekov, Fortune, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of trim
Verb
  • The film ends with Sally and Gary happily in love, which begs a question that’s been gestating for 28 years — doesn’t that slap him with a death sentence?
    — Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Sep. 2026
  • Apple has now discontinued the older 17 Pro models and slapped $100 price hikes on all other existing models, including the regular iPhone 17, iPhone Air, and iPhone 17e.
    — Jibin Joseph, PC Magazine, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of slap

Browse Nearby Words

clinks
clip
clip-clop
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Clip.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clip. Accessed 15 Sep. 2026.

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