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
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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
June 4, CBS News, 4 June 2025
That’s right: Even flight attendants don’t want to touch them after seeing passengers use them to clean up spills, wipe their noses, and catch toenail clippings.
—Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 30 Apr. 2025
Tricia Manzanero Stuedeman, Southern Living, 10 Dec. 2024
To maximize flowering, prune late blooming clematis hard in February by clipping vines back to the lowest set of flower buds.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for clipping
Verb
During his service, McCook received the Air Medal and the Distinguished Flying Cross, according to newspaper clippings.
—June 4, CBS News, 4 June 2025
That’s right: Even flight attendants don’t want to touch them after seeing passengers use them to clean up spills, wipe their noses, and catch toenail clippings.
—Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 30 Apr. 2025
Noun
Bag up thicker icing in a variety of shades, clipping or tying the back of the piping bags to seal, then create bags of thinner icing in a variety of colors.
—Tricia Manzanero Stuedeman, Southern Living, 10 Dec. 2024
To maximize flowering, prune late blooming clematis hard in February by clipping vines back to the lowest set of flower buds.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for clipping
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clipping
Verb
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Fuel and medicine will last weeks longer before hitting zero.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
31 Mar. 2025
-
But instead of stopping, Burnett tried to drive away, hitting a tow truck in the process, police said.—
Natalie Demaree,
Miami Herald,
31 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Jess carried a plastic tray of eggs, squash shavings and mango peels to the pen.—
Bennet Goldstein,
jsonline.com,
4 July 2025
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Below, a closer look at the serum, face mask, shaving soap, and more that earned our loyalty in 2025.—
Justin Fenner,
Robb Report,
13 June 2025
Verb
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The couple can be seen having a blast as Hart took the clippers and started trimming Wilkerson's beard in various ways, eventually splitting it into three long strands.—
Gil Macias,
People.com,
6 Jan. 2025
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Melissa Joan Hart is showing off her impressive beard-trimming skills!—
Gil Macias,
People.com,
6 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Those looking to escape may be able to snag a villa in Sicily for a sliver of the cost of a cup of coffee.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
11 July 2025
-
At the front of the car, a pair of illuminated slivers serve as headlights, and a terse black mouth—patterned with less-than (<) and greater-than (>) signs—appears to jeer mercilessly.—
Brett Berk,
Robb Report,
8 July 2025
Verb
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The group in the other vehicle surround Martinez between the two vehicles, with two people repeatedly punching her while a third person pulls her legs, taking her to the ground.—
Nathan Solis,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Dec. 2024
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According to Hallman, Forrest-Stitt responded by allegedly assaulting him, punching him in the chest, hitting his mouth, and causing injuries, including a busted lip and a painful bicep injury.—
Gordon G. Chang,
Newsweek,
11 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Episodes are often framed by Sarah Jessica Parker’s voiceover, in a callback to SATC’s quippy narration, reading snippets of the novel that mirror her character’s own life.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
11 July 2025
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People would be watching a regular movie and not realize that snippets of messages had been inserted into the film, flashing by at a rate so fast that the conscious perception cannot readily distinguish them.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
6 July 2025
Noun
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During this period, Hamas emerged as a powerful splinter of the Muslim Brotherhood movement with the aim of destroying Israel and establishing an Islamist Palestinian state.—
Tom O'Connor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
2 June 2025
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Indeed, the newly fragmented world that Trump is creating could very well splinter climate standards and clean technology supply chains.—
Justin Worland,
Time,
11 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Use a sharp paring knife to cut 4 slits in the top crust for steam to escape.—
Stephanie Ganz,
Southern Living,
7 July 2025
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Using a sharp paring knife, start at the head end, and slice lengthwise along the back about three-fourths of the way through (do not cut all the way through), following the natural groove.—
Sabrina Weiss,
People.com,
4 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Clipping.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clipping. Accessed 22 Jul. 2025.
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