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
Alex Kalinauckas,
New York Times,
11 May 2026
Before bed, nip into Manny’s bar for a nightcap.
—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
28 Apr. 2026
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
28 May 2026
Darby hit a Scorpion Death Drop and nipped up to his feet.
—
Alfred Konuwa,
Forbes.com,
24 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for nip
Noun
Leclerc still can’t steer right at full speed, so Verstappen nips ahead for good measure at the final corner.
—
Alex Kalinauckas,
New York Times,
11 May 2026
Before bed, nip into Manny’s bar for a nightcap.
—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
The series builds to his final French Open in 2024 when Father Time was nipping at his heels, navicular, hip, back and everything else.
—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
28 May 2026
Darby hit a Scorpion Death Drop and nipped up to his feet.
—
Alfred Konuwa,
Forbes.com,
24 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for nip
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nip
Noun
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Peppers followed, along with a healthy sprinkling of spices.
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Leveraging years of experience developed at Brunello Cucinelli and Prada, the designer used a beautiful palette of colors, the hues reflecting the spices of each location, from nutmeg and cardamom to ginger, cinnamon and vanilla, and those of the Mediterranean Sea.
Noun
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Trump’s appreciation for and emulation of the histrionics of that sport have been much discussed over the years—recall how the late Hulk Hogan ripped his shirt to shreds at the 2024 Republican National Convention to reveal a TRUMP VANCE T-shirt underneath.
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The industry has been keeping a close eye on what Koosha and his producer Tom Rogers have been doing — namely, conjuring a movie out of thin air without a single shred of an actor, location, crew member or camera.
Noun
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The chills, along with some sudden nausea, were so strong that my mom and I left the Greek Theatre early.
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In the summer, the weather is typically golf-perfect with mild temperatures and chill breezes as the day moves on.
Noun
-
The glass caught the light first, then the lemon oil lifted before the first sip.
-
Kyle giving Lindsay a piggyback while also trying to take a sip of Loverboy is why these two will always be famous.
Verb
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Zillow says that a pale pink bathroom could lose you up to $6,013, while a pale pink kitchen shaves an extra $4,201 off potential buyers' offers.
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The Supreme Court ruled that a Louisiana prisoner whose dreadlocks were forcibly shaved off by prison guards cannot sue them under a federal law designed to protect the religious rights of prisoners.
Verb
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The families pinch and pennies to send their first child to college.
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The rope around my left thigh pinched and clawed at the butterflies inked on my skin.
Verb
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Bald eagle are also known to scavenge for food and carrion, even stealing from other hunting birds mid-flight.
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The show was canceled that year, after Mencia was accused of stealing material from other comedians.
Verb
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But hurry—some of our favorites are already selling out!
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But hurry, sizes are selling out quickly on Madewell.
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 25 Jun. 2026.
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