1
as in spice
the quality or state of being stimulating to the mind or senses
the barbecue sauce has a nip to it that balances out the sweetness
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in shred
a very small amount
I'll have just a nip of your sandwich
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in chill
an uncomfortable degree of coolness
there's a nip in the air today
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to shave
to make (something) shorter or smaller with the use of a cutting instrument
I'm just going to nip these hedges, and then I'll be done with the work outside
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
3
as in to steal
to take (something) without right and with an intent to keep
that guy nipped my wallet from the restaurant table when I turned away
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to hurry
to proceed or move quickly
I'll just nip off to the corner store for some milk
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 nip
Thom Harris, New York Times, 7 Mar. 2026
Massachusetts allows the ban of nips on a town-by-town basis, but only a few places have taken advantage of this.
—Sasha Allen, Hartford Courant, 1 Mar. 2026
Kati Chitrakorn, CNN Money, 21 Mar. 2026
But the teacher nips the conversation in the bud, redirecting everyone’s attention to the lesson of the day.
—Boaz Dvir, The Conversation, 14 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for nip
Noun
By the time George Dobson’s delivery reaches the six-yard box, Cleworth has broken free and nips in front of a flat-footed zonal defender, rising highest to guide the ball past the goalkeeper.
—Thom Harris, New York Times, 7 Mar. 2026
Massachusetts allows the ban of nips on a town-by-town basis, but only a few places have taken advantage of this.
—Sasha Allen, Hartford Courant, 1 Mar. 2026
Verb
After all, new talents are constantly emerging and during their hiatus have begun nipping at their heels.
—Kati Chitrakorn, CNN Money, 21 Mar. 2026
But the teacher nips the conversation in the bud, redirecting everyone’s attention to the lesson of the day.
—Boaz Dvir, The Conversation, 14 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for nip
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nip
Verb
-
Reiner, with his head shaved and a scruffy goatee, wore a yellow prison top with blue prison pants.—
Bryan Alexander,
USA Today,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Based on the physical locations of Burlington’s stores and vendors near the distribution center, the company expects to shave some freight costs relative to sales, said Kristin Wolfe, chief financial officer of Burlington Stores, during an earnings call on March 5.—
Glenn Taylor,
Footwear News,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
During that time, the world’s oil supply will remain pinched.—
Julia Gomez,
USA Today,
30 Apr. 2026
-
For flowers, pinch the head and leave the bitter green base behind — that one move alone will improve your jelly, wine and honey.—
Ryan Brennan,
Miami Herald,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Someone on South Bascom Avenue reported a check that had previously been stolen from the mail at her apartment complex led to her bank account information being stolen and a $500 charge being made.—
Jake Richardson,
Mercury News,
1 May 2026
-
Police said the group stole items from the store before driving away in the SUV.—
Elyssa Kaufman,
CBS News,
1 May 2026
Verb
-
Trump being hurried off the stage unharmed and guests ducking for cover underneath their tables.—
Alanna Durkin Richer,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Might as well hurry up and shoot.—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
At the same time, Bass has proposed cutting entirely the Animal Services Department’s annual budget for food, which was $200,000 last year, and also slashing the medical supplies budget to $49,000, from $388,000 last year.—
Sandra McDonald,
Los Angeles Times,
1 May 2026
-
But now that the post-pandemic boom has well and truly gone bust, just showing up with a great looking timepiece isn’t going to cut it.—
Lily Templeton,
Footwear News,
1 May 2026
Verb
-
Carl Wilson held a lead Tuesday night in the special election for a City Council seat on Manhattan’s West Side against Lindsey Boylan, in what has shaped up as a proxy battle in the ongoing power struggle between Mayor Mamdani and Council Speaker Julie Menin.—
Josephine Stratman,
New York Daily News,
29 Apr. 2026
-
The conspiracy charge holds a maximum sentence of life in federal prison, while the kidnapping charge is punishable by up to 20 years.—
Tess Kenny,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Imagine swiping a card at a corner station, unlocking a bicycle, riding to the store or your office or the park or the beach and locking the bike at another station.—
Harry Bubbins,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Because the brand studied undertones to create a collection that would be true to the tube when Black and Brown people swiped it on.—
Jackie Fields,
PEOPLE,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
As Mars challenges Jupiter, rushing ahead can create unnecessary tension.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
4 May 2026
-
Rather than being surrounded by six lanes of asphalt and rushing traffic, people would easy have access to rest comfortably around the monument.—
Lucius Riccio,
New York Daily News,
3 May 2026
Video
'Nip it in the butt' or 'Nip it in the bud'?
We're gonna stop you right there
Cite this Entry
“Nip.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nip. Accessed 6 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
