1
as in trimming
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in hitting
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
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 clipping
Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 8 Sep. 2025
The Ewpjdk 4-Pack Garden Pruning Shears come with four pruning shears for the price of one and are versatile enough to take on all kinds of fall pruning tasks, like harvesting, clipping, deadheading, and cutting off the final fruits of the season, before winter comes.
—Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Sep. 2025
Ashley J. Dimella, FOXNews.com, 10 Dec. 2025
Our favorite feature is the removable wristlet strap and keyring, which makes clipping it to a carry-on backpack, weekender, or duffel bag a breeze.
—Michelle Baricevic, Travel + Leisure, 7 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for clipping
Noun
Use a rake to remove any debris such as grass clippings, leaves, branches, and twigs and to de-thatch areas where dry, brown grass prevents water and sun from reaching the soil.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 8 Sep. 2025
The Ewpjdk 4-Pack Garden Pruning Shears come with four pruning shears for the price of one and are versatile enough to take on all kinds of fall pruning tasks, like harvesting, clipping, deadheading, and cutting off the final fruits of the season, before winter comes.
—Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Sep. 2025
Verb
Also included in the file is a newspaper clipping of a statement from Earhart’s mother, Amy Otis Earhart, from July 24, 1949.
—Ashley J. Dimella, FOXNews.com, 10 Dec. 2025
Our favorite feature is the removable wristlet strap and keyring, which makes clipping it to a carry-on backpack, weekender, or duffel bag a breeze.
—Michelle Baricevic, Travel + Leisure, 7 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for clipping
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clipping
Noun
-
In a new interview on comedian Jay Mohr's Mohr Stories podcast, Gibbons claimed shaving brand Gillette once offered him and Hill, who died in 2021, $1 million each to shave their iconic beards for a commercial.—
Jack Irvin,
PEOPLE,
6 Jan. 2026
-
The modern equivalent isn’t literal coin shaving.—
Eva Roytburg,
Fortune,
5 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Trailing most of the game, Dallas couldn't get a fourth-quarter stop after trimming the deficit to three points with 10 minutes remaining.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
7 Jan. 2026
-
That’s in part by trimming the approval process.—
CalMatters,
Daily News,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Tire tread depth - Checking your tire tread before hitting the road is important, as low or no tread can lead to sliding.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
9 Nov. 2025
-
After an incompletion on third down, McCashland’s 25-yard field goal attempt was no good, hitting the right upright with 17 seconds remaining in the half.—
Steven Johnson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
9 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Really, this is only a sliver of a joke.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
7 Nov. 2025
-
About 1 foot from the shoot tip, make a 1 to 2 inch incision along the stem and through a bud to create a wedge; prop the wedge open with a sliver of wood such as a toothpick.—
Luke Miller,
Better Homes & Gardens,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
In 2022, debris from an underwater volcanic eruption severed the island's only subsea communication cable, cutting the island off from the rest of the world.—
Magdalena Petrova,
CNBC,
8 Nov. 2025
-
Richard’s motor ran high despite the lopsided score, cutting for two layups and also canning a 3-pointer to put up a quick seven points in the period.—
Joseph Dycus,
Mercury News,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Mimicking what happened seven years earlier after the Dallas playoff win in Charlotte, the players ran back outside and took a lap around the stadium, slapping hands with delirious home fans.—
Scott Fowler,
Charlotte Observer,
6 Jan. 2026
-
That means not just the sound of rubber slapping the pavement or the whir of electric motors—the soundtrack of a Formula E race—but something new and artificial or, more generously, bespoke.—
Erik Shilling,
Robb Report,
15 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
Iman commemorated the event in a second Instagram post with snippets of the pair during their wedding ceremony at St James' Episcopal Church in Florence, Italy, on June 6, 1992.—
Ilana Kaplan,
PEOPLE,
8 Jan. 2026
-
They can be found on our YouTube channel, which is Echoes of the City KC, along with other shorts and snippets of the other documentaries.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The University of Miami defeated Ole Miss, 31-27, in a Fiesta Bowl semifinal thriller, punching its ticket to the College Football Playoff National Championship Game.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
8 Jan. 2026
-
That footage showed Jones elbowing, stomping and punching the boy, and prompted the police investigation.—
Shelly Bradbury,
Denver Post,
8 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Clipping.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clipping. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share