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
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Recent Examples of nip
Sasha Allen, Hartford Courant, 1 Mar. 2026
The Lions ended a nip-and-tuck first quarter with a 17-14 lead following a thunderous dunk by Ranck on an inbounds play in the final seconds.
—James Peters, Baltimore Sun, 25 Feb. 2026
Darren Lauber, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Mar. 2026
There was also a scuba aesthetic that continued from last season with honkering inflatable coats, cocooning anoraks, and neoprene blazers nipped at the waist that looked like couture life vests and scuba suits.
—Kevin Huynh, InStyle, 12 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for nip
Noun
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
The Lions ended a nip-and-tuck first quarter with a 17-14 lead following a thunderous dunk by Ranck on an inbounds play in the final seconds.
—James Peters, Baltimore Sun, 25 Feb. 2026
Verb
Paradise kept nipping at the heels of Westwood, but never trailed by more than 9 points in the contest.
—Darren Lauber, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Mar. 2026
There was also a scuba aesthetic that continued from last season with honkering inflatable coats, cocooning anoraks, and neoprene blazers nipped at the waist that looked like couture life vests and scuba suits.
—Kevin Huynh, InStyle, 12 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for nip
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nip
Verb
-
In the first episode back, Cranston stands completely nude as Kaczmarek’s Lois shaves his back and nether regions.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
8 Apr. 2026
-
With the war in Iran sending oil prices soaring, consumers under even more economic pressure may not be lured back by PepsiCo shaving less than a dollar off a snack bag.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
On a Ducks breakout, Sharks defenseman Nick Leddy tried to pinch down on winger Chris Kreider in the Anaheim zone.—
Curtis Pashelka,
Mercury News,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Renewables were 20% of supply before Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, pinching Europe’s gas supplies.—
Jim Edwards,
Fortune,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Thieves stole the copper wire inside them for scrap metal money.—
Adam Duxter,
CBS News,
11 Apr. 2026
-
But the poet’s work now centers on illness and relearning how to live after a stroke stole his language and mobility.—
Courtney Crowder,
USA Today,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Some of us hurried to the NASA website to learn more about this frontierswoman, with the extravagant hair and the biceps of a steelworker, a photo of which also went viral.—
Sally Jenkins,
The Atlantic,
8 Apr. 2026
-
The waterfall itself was surprisingly large and powerful, with its spray spotting cellphone screens as tourists hurried to take selfies in front of it, despite its fair distance from the pond's fence line.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Minnesota led by 10 with about four minutes left before Houston used an 8-2 run, with four points from Alperen Sengun, to cut the lead to 132-128 with about a minute to go.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
11 Apr. 2026
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It is equipped with fold-out platforms, a large glass-bottom pool, and a lounge with a DJ booth, meaning seafarers can play with water toys by day and cut shapes by night.—
Rachel Cormack,
Robb Report,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Children sat on steps draped in American flags, holding photos of children killed in the war.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
15 Apr. 2026
-
Data obtained from the license plates cannot be held for more than 21 days unless there is an active criminal investigation, officials said.—
Christopher Keating,
Hartford Courant,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Internet sports gambling is flourishing in Florida and the 31 other states that have legalized it, and few guardrails prevent problem users from swiping away hundreds or thousands of dollars.—
Max Klaver,
Miami Herald,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Masataka Yoshida had an RBI groundout and Trevor Story stole home when Marcelo Mayer swiped second on a double steal in the fourth inning for the Red Sox runs.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The woman was rushed to a local trauma center for severe injuries to her arms and legs, police said.—
Dean Fioresi,
CBS News,
13 Apr. 2026
-
But kayakers camped on an island near where Tracy and Endicott arms meet had much of their gear swept away by the rushing water.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
12 Apr. 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 16 Apr. 2026.
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