clipping 1 of 2

noun

Definition of clippingnext
as in shaving

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clipping

2 of 2

verb

present participle of clip
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
Noun
When the lawn is wet, clippings will clump up and mat down on the grass, leading to unhealthy conditions over time. — David Beaulieu, The Spruce, 23 June 2026 Make sure that the upper half of your clipping has leaves so your plant can receive nutrients once it's replanted in soil. — Kelly Manning, Martha Stewart, 23 June 2026
Verb
The plane crashed on the road, clipping a car and breaking apart. — Alexandra Skores, CNN Money, 17 June 2026 Allbirds is clipping its wings — again. — Lily Wright, Los Angeles Times, 17 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for clipping
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clipping
  1. shaving
  2. trimming
  3. hitting
  4. sliver
  5. cutting
  6. slapping
  7. snippet
  8. punching
Noun
  • And while technique matters (dry shaving is a big no-no), your post-shower routine could also be partly to blame.
    — Emma-Jade Stoddart, Glamour, 5 July 2026
  • The device's stainless steel blades make quick work of lint, fuzz, and pills on everything from clothing to upholstery while its two speeds and three shaving heights help tackle heavier jobs.
    — Better Homes & Gardens, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 July 2026
Definition of shaving
Verb
  • Rather than just trimming stems and plopping them in a vase, reflexing plays with the form of the flower by gently folding petals backwards to open up the bloom.
    — Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 18 July 2026
  • Even the Oklahoma City Thunder, who are still sitting on a huge haul of future draft capital, had to start trimming their supporting cast this offseason because Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams’ max extensions kicked in.
    — Bryan Toporek, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026
Definition of trimming
Verb
  • The New York Yankees want to add a right-handed hitting catcher, and the Minnesota Twins’ Ryan Jeffers still appears to be their most obvious target.
    — Ken Rosenthal, New York Times, 21 July 2026
  • But what does Porsha being a liar have to do with Shamea hitting below the belt unprompted?
    — Ile-Ife Okantah, Vulture, 20 July 2026
Definition of hitting
Noun
  • Who'd have thought that this thin sliver of soft sand would be the most popular beach on the island, and by far?
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 July 2026
  • By the end of the night, the room full of sweaty bodies was left basking in the gift of Madonna, feeling just one small sliver of a wider moment that has gone on to completely transcend conventional pop expectation.
    — Tom Smyth, Vulture, 14 July 2026
Definition of sliver
Verb
  • The vibes at Wrigley should be stellar this weekend as the Champions Gate at Gallagher Way will be unveiled before Saturday’s game with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
    — LaMond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 17 July 2026
  • Rather than report on every float in this parade of horribles, the Chronicle of Higher Education, Inside Higher Ed and hirsute higher education observer Bryan Alexander have started cost-cutting trackers.
    — Ryan Craig, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026
Definition of cutting
Verb
  • But when their panel ended, the sports stars got into a heated exchange that ended with Brady slapping Paul in the face.
    — Angelique Jackson, Variety, 18 July 2026
  • As seen in a video posted by Fanatics on Instagram and X, the former NFL quarterback traded words with Paul face-to-face before slapping him, and was ultimately pulled away.
    — Ingrid Vasquez, PEOPLE, 18 July 2026
Definition of slapping
Noun
  • To keep our attention, Parreno and Gordon splice in snippets of overhead shots or official TV footage.
    — Sebastian Smee, The Atlantic, 11 July 2026
  • Music and sound snippets are coordinated with the fireworks and other visuals.
    — Dewayne Bevil, The Orlando Sentinel, 10 July 2026
Definition of snippet
Verb
  • But that hasn’t stopped one of the country’s increasingly renowned grape-growing regions from punching well above its weight.
    — Tori Latham, Robb Report, 18 July 2026
  • Video footage of the incident appears to show two officers struggling with Hardy, with one of them punching her before taking her to the ground.
    — Hema Sivanandam, Mercury News, 17 July 2026
Definition of punching

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clippers
clipping
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Cite this Entry

“Clipping.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clipping. Accessed 22 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on clipping

Nglish: Translation of clipping for Spanish Speakers

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