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
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Apr. 2026
Chief among the products banned are the ubiquitous 50 milliliter bottles known as shooters, shots, nips or airline bottles.
—Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 9 Apr. 2026
Quanta Magazine, 4 May 2026
But Loyola is nipping at their heels.
—Tarek Fattal, Daily News, 4 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for nip
Noun
Before bed, nip into Manny’s bar for a nightcap.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Apr. 2026
Chief among the products banned are the ubiquitous 50 milliliter bottles known as shooters, shots, nips or airline bottles.
—Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 9 Apr. 2026
Verb
To prove out the findings in real biology, Schramma stuck his arm back into the fish tank, nipped more leaves, and snapped microscope images of the cells within to measure Elodea’s actual packing fractions.
—Quanta Magazine, 4 May 2026
But Loyola is nipping at their heels.
—Tarek Fattal, Daily News, 4 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for nip
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nip
Noun
-
While the through note on these stellar wines was red- and black-berry flavors with opulent tannins and touches of spice, earth, and dark chocolate, each wine was distinct and reflective of its season.—
Mike DeSimone,
Robb Report,
31 May 2026
-
Expect rose, lychee, candied orange peel, and a quiet Mizunara spice on the finish.—
Paul Caputo,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2026
Noun
-
Angie is made more complex inside a later version, who is bruised and angry, ready to rip any and everyone to shreds.—
David John Chávez,
Mercury News,
29 May 2026
-
The camera locks Henri in its sights, catching his every empty boast and complicit deed as Hitler’s Final Solution looms, and offering nary a shred of redemption or reassurance.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
27 May 2026
Noun
-
Trade drab colors with 44 percent off floral prints, and bulky hoodies for something a little more lightweight to beat those nightly chills and airplane cabin temperatures—this one by Faherty is 25 percent off for a limited time.—
Julia Morlino,
Travel + Leisure,
29 May 2026
-
Specializing in creative lattes like brown suga baby (brown sugar, toffee nut, coconut, white chocolate, espresso, steamed milk) and lavender and chill (lavender, vanilla, espresso, steamed milk), Black Coffee opened in the Vivian apartment complex in 2024.—
Kate Williams,
AJC.com,
29 May 2026
Noun
-
From fluffy pies and make-ahead cheesecake bars to standout pork dishes and alcohol-free sips, BHG readers can't get enough of these citrusy dishes.—
Lizzy Briskin,
Better Homes & Gardens,
28 May 2026
-
More sips allow some sherry influence to rise up, and one can’t help but wonder about the exact cask pedigree used to finish that 4 year-old Jim Beam portion.—
David Thomas Tao,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
Verb
-
The new map has shaved off some of that surplus support to help bolster Democratic odds in neighboring, more competitive swing districts nearer to the Central Valley.—
Chase Hunter,
Mercury News,
3 June 2026
-
Today, the organization relies on volunteers sponsored by family and friends to shave their heads in solidarity with children who lose their hair during cancer treatments.—
Marianne Love,
Daily News,
1 June 2026
Verb
-
David Paul Morris | Bloomberg | Getty Images Inflation continues to pinch at consumers this spring.—
CJ Haddad,
CNBC,
29 May 2026
-
Mason Fluharty took over and faced three batters, but left after allowing a one-out single to pinch-hitter Heriberto Hernandez.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
28 May 2026
Verb
-
Sukhmati described how her comrades would raid police stations to steal weapons.—
Dhruv Tikekar,
CNN Money,
30 May 2026
-
Tovar also stole home in the fourth inning.—
Patrick Saunders,
Denver Post,
30 May 2026
Verb
-
Gardner, the activist, hurried over, tapped Nereyda on the shoulder and pointed toward the pit.—
Marisa Ingemi,
Los Angeles Times,
1 June 2026
-
The baseball team beat Calvin Christian 7-1, then hurried across the plaza at SDSU — about 50 yards — to cheer the girls on.—
John Maffei,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
1 June 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 5 Jun. 2026.
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