Synonyms of nibble

nibble 1 of 2

noun

as in bite

a small piece or quantity of food

I don't want a whole dessert, so can I just have a nibble of yours?

Synonyms & Similar Words

• bite
• mouthful
• taste
• snack
• morsel
• tidbit
• nugget
• bit
• chew
• nosh
• gulp
• appetizer
• canapé
• lick
• medallion
• swallow
• noisette
• dribble
• lap
• shred
• snip
• dash
• sprinkling
• pinch
• crumb
• touch
• hint
• collop
• smidgen
• snippet
• drop
• mote
• spot
• fleck
• nubbin
• dab
• particle
• swig
• scrap
• speck
• scruple
• suspicion
• driblet
• tittle
• hors d'oeuvre
• trace

nibble

2 of 2

verb

ˈni-bəl 

1

as in to snack

to eat reluctantly and in small bites

having no real appetite at all, I just nibbled during the party

Synonyms & Similar Words

• snack
• peck
• pick
• graze
• taste
• nosh

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• overeat
• gorge
• swill
• pig out
• gormandize

2

as in to chew

to crush or grind with the teeth

nibbling crackers

Synonyms & Similar Words

• chew
• eat
• masticate
• bite (on)
• gnaw (on)
• chaw
• munch
• crunch (on)
• snack
• chomp (on)
• consume
• champ
• nosh
• swallow
• ruminate
• devour
• sink one's teeth into
• pick (at)
• scoff
• wolf
• gulp
• ingest
• gobble (up or down)
• scarf
• peck (at)
• mumble
• gorge
• nip
• gum
• bolt

3

as in to eat

to consume or wear away gradually

discovered that inflation had steadily nibbled their savings

Synonyms & Similar Words

• eat
• erode
• gnaw
• bite (at)
• destroy
• corrode
• fret
• decompose
• dissolve
• ruin
• disintegrate
• waste
• wreck
• break up
• break down
• decimate
• devastate

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• restore
• refresh
• freshen
• revive
• renew
• recreate
• regenerate
• revitalize
• rejuvenate
• refreshen

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of nibble

Noun

For a curious cat or dog, a quick nibble or brush against the wrong bloom can turn a little botanical mischief into a serious medical emergency. — Lauren Paige Richeson, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2026

From rabbits to squirrels, protecting our gardens from nibbles and bites is a season-long endeavor. — Alexandra Kelly, Martha Stewart, 26 Aug. 2026

Verb

Meanwhile, Householder’s research suggests that rather than make a quick and fiery meal of Earth, the sun might one day nibble away at our atmosphere. — Mary Randolph, Scientific American, 5 Oct. 2026

At the event, some rugs were laid out on the grass in lieu of picnic blankets for guests to lounge on while nibbling on light bites; others were suspended from metal frames like tapestries. — Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 18 Sep. 2026