nip 1 of 3

noun (1)

Definition of nipnext
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

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2
as in shred
a very small amount I'll have just a nip of your sandwich

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3
as in chill
an uncomfortable degree of coolness there's a nip in the air today

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nip

2 of 3

noun (2)

as in sip
the portion of a serving of a beverage that is swallowed at one time give me just a nip of milk to help me swallow this pill

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nip

3 of 3

verb

ˈnip How to pronounce nip (audio)
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

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2
as in to pinch
to squeeze tightly between two surfaces, edges, or points the puppy nipped her hand while playing

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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

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4
as in to hurry
to proceed or move quickly I'll just nip off to the corner store for some milk

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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
Noun
Nashville was a drink all night, crash into bed, then take a nip of the hair-of-the-dog-that-bit-you in the morning kind of place. — Jonathan Bernstein, Rolling Stone, 13 May 2026 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
Verb
Incumbent Mayor Terry Lynne nipped Jaime Rivas by 25 votes in Saturday's Farmers Branch mayoral runoff, according to final but unofficial returns. — Doug Myers, CBS News, 14 June 2026 But Sweeney nipped that idea in the bud. — Selome Hailu, Variety, 1 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for nip
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nip
  1. spice
  2. shred
  3. chill
  4. sip
  5. shave
  6. pinch
  7. steal
  8. hurry
Noun
  • The word entered English during British rule in India and was later extended to mean a hot alcoholic drink, especially one mixed with spirits, hot water, sugar, and spices.
    — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 5 July 2026
  • Chili powder, cumin, and cayenne give it the signature chili spice (leave out the cayenne for a milder version) while Worcestershire and tomato sauce provide savoriness.
    — Erin Merhar, Southern Living, 3 July 2026
Definition of spice
Noun
  • Their main flaw is that the protagonists rarely display a shred of agency or activity.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 30 June 2026
  • The rest of the band followed his lead, particularly Green, a relentless head-banger, dropping to her knees to become one with the feedback and leaning back into beatific shred-faces.
    — Steve Knopper, Rolling Stone, 26 June 2026
Definition of shred
Noun
  • Some nights, this space is used as a chill spot where golfers can sit, eat, and drink with their friends or simply take in the eye-candy of the course itself.
    — Joel Haley, Memphis Commercial Appeal, 10 July 2026
  • The simple premise and pacing conceal its supreme power and startling chill, throwing you directly into the fray for a nightmarish immersive experience.
    — Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 7 July 2026
Definition of chill
Noun
  • The house old-fashioned can be made with bourbon or gin and is a much slower sip.
    — Blair Crosby, AJC.com, 5 July 2026
  • Inside at Revel Lounge, half the après crowd sips cocktails in robes and slippers while the other half have logged back on with work and are huddled away in the bar’s many discreet nooks and corners.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 July 2026
Definition of sip
Verb
  • The movie could stand to shave off 10 minutes from its midsection on the ocean, which often suffers from too many flat, green-screen backgrounds.
    — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 8 July 2026
  • Just last month the Federal Bureau of Prison’s website readjusted it, shaving a few months off.
    — Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 8 July 2026
Definition of shave
Verb
  • This decline has pinched profit margins in the 401(k) world, said Kai Richter, an attorney with Cohen Milstein who has long specialized in ERISA class-action cases.
    — Paul Kiel, ProPublica, 8 July 2026
  • That threatens to pinch access and evacuation during a wildfire and caps what developers can do — though some, like the Conger Group and Hawkins, have advanced plans regardless.
    — Mark Dee July 7, Idaho Statesman, 7 July 2026
Definition of pinch
Verb
  • Police arrested more than 400 people after a melee in which businesses were smashed and goods stolen, and fireworks were dispatched in crowds.
    — Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2026
  • However, when her island's resources are threatened, Moana embraces her ancestors' voyaging heritage and heads out to sea to find Maui, deliver the heart of Te Fiti (which Maui stole back in the day) and save her people.
    — Brian Truitt, USA Today, 9 July 2026
Definition of steal
Verb
  • But hurry, because many colors and sizes are already sold out.
    — Jacqueline Tempera, PEOPLE, 1 July 2026
  • RockHounds players and training staff hurried to tend to Lasko, and Taylor dropped to one knee near the warning track.
    — Zach Powell, New York Times, 1 July 2026
Definition of hurry

Phrases Containing nip

Browse Nearby Words

ninnyhammers
nip
nip and tuck
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Cite this Entry

“Nip.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nip. Accessed 16 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of nip for Spanish Speakers

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