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
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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
Haley Ott, CBS News, 9 Feb. 2026
On a late January morning—in between East Coast snowstorms—skiers and snowboarders of all ages mill around, adjusting gloves, zipping up jackets, and clipping into skis, sometimes for the very first time.
—Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 9 Feb. 2026
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
But seconds into the race, Vonn lost control after clipping a flag marking the side of the course, flew sideways in the air and hit her head on the ground.
—Haley Ott, CBS News, 9 Feb. 2026
On a late January morning—in between East Coast snowstorms—skiers and snowboarders of all ages mill around, adjusting gloves, zipping up jackets, and clipping into skis, sometimes for the very first time.
—Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 9 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for clipping
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clipping
Noun
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Services include shaving, hair care and facial treatments, ranging from express face massages and 30-minute beard trimming priced at 30 euros and 50 euros, respectively, to two-hour long beauty sessions for 230 euros.—
Sandra Salibian,
Footwear News,
10 Feb. 2026
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Even point shaving can increase viewership.—
Emil Steiner,
Forbes.com,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
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But these rotations can be brutal, and trimming positions gives us the flexibility and the cash to step back in and repurchase shares at more attractive levels in the future.—
Jeff Marks,
CNBC,
26 Feb. 2026
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The change will be implemented gradually, trimming two hours per year beginning in 2027 and reaching a 40-hour work week in 2030.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
25 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Six Longhorns scored in the first quarter, which ended with Georgia native Bryanna Preston hitting a pull-up jumper at the buzzer.—
Danny Davis,
Austin American Statesman,
27 Feb. 2026
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Everyone’s hitting, banging bodies.—
Tom Mulherin,
Boston Herald,
26 Feb. 2026
Noun
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In an Instagram Story shared on February 25, Ratajkowski struck up a pose in what appeared to be a hotel-style bathrobe, leaving it open to show off a sliver of bare skin running down her entire torso.—
Lara Walsh,
InStyle,
25 Feb. 2026
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The refinery is very busy these days because of the high price of gold, sliver and other precious metals, which has people turning their metal to cash.—
Roxana Popescu,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
25 Feb. 2026
Verb
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That deal, which required Iran to limit its nuclear program by, among other things, cutting enrichment levels and reducing centrifuges, took effect in 2016 and was due to expire 10 years after it was adopted.—
Michael Collins,
USA Today,
28 Feb. 2026
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Start by cutting the lawn very low and raking the planting area to remove the clippings, dead grass, and other debris.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
28 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Ultimately, in Europe, giving the green light will be up to the EU’s antitrust chief, Teresa Ribeira, who has been slapping hefty fines lately on Google and Elon Musk’s X for breaching European Union rules.—
Nick Vivarelli,
Variety,
19 Feb. 2026
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Vacuum The Cushions For dusty sofas, start by taking the cushions outside and slapping them to release debris and dust.—
Patricia Shannon,
Southern Living,
18 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Listen to a snippet of the track on TikTok.—
Hattie Lindert,
Pitchfork,
27 Feb. 2026
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Soon after, other social media snippets of their presence in the Queen City dribbled out.—
Heidi Finley,
Charlotte Observer,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
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But in the background, financial markets keep punching above their weight.—
Tristan Bove,
Fortune,
24 Feb. 2026
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Newhuis is accused of later returning and assaulting the manager by punching him multiple times, police said.—
Lillie Davidson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
24 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Clipping.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clipping. Accessed 2 Mar. 2026.
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