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.
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Recent Examples of nip
Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 22 Mar. 2026
For more wonderful panoramas of the Douro river, nip over to Arco Das Verdades – a small, friendly wine bar with a decent selection of traditional Portuguese nibbles.
—Irenie Forshaw, TheWeek, 19 Mar. 2026
Zoey Lyttle, PEOPLE, 19 Apr. 2026
Merrimack College was eliminated by North Dakota, Providence College was bounced by Quinnipiac and the University of Connecticut was nipped by Michigan State on Thursday.
—Barry Scanlon, Boston Herald, 27 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for nip
Noun
There were seven empty nip bottles — vodka.
—Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 22 Mar. 2026
For more wonderful panoramas of the Douro river, nip over to Arco Das Verdades – a small, friendly wine bar with a decent selection of traditional Portuguese nibbles.
—Irenie Forshaw, TheWeek, 19 Mar. 2026
Verb
In 1968, an overzealous pup nipped a postman delivering mail to Balmoral Castle.
—Zoey Lyttle, PEOPLE, 19 Apr. 2026
Merrimack College was eliminated by North Dakota, Providence College was bounced by Quinnipiac and the University of Connecticut was nipped by Michigan State on Thursday.
—Barry Scanlon, Boston Herald, 27 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for nip
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nip
Noun
-
Blue Bay Resort A visit to Belmont Estate provides insights into traditional cacao farming and chocolate production, from bean to bar, while Tri-Island Chocolate connects visitors with local farmers to learn about cocoa, honey and spice cultivation with its Rastafarian Roots-to-Bar experience.—
Taryn White,
Forbes.com,
18 May 2026
-
Shelves lined with baking ingredients, bolts of fabric, tinware, nails, and jars of penny candy created a patchwork of textures and smells ranging from molasses and leather to spices and tobacco smoke.—
Daryl Austin,
USA Today,
18 May 2026
Noun
-
The perpetrators of these crimes are savage animals without a shred of humanity.—
Bobby Zirkin,
Baltimore Sun,
14 May 2026
-
That's patently false and not supported by a shred of evidence.—
Dan Zaksheske OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
13 May 2026
Noun
-
Despite the chill of children, summer came, despite the winter of children, summer came.—
Valzhyna Mort,
New Yorker,
18 May 2026
-
There’s also a chill place to hang post hanging ten, surf-wellness experiences, skateboarding clinics, and e-foiling.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
16 May 2026
Noun
-
Khloé Kardashian celebrated the launch of her White Cheddar Khloud Popcorn with a sip of Starbucks.—
People Staff,
PEOPLE,
15 May 2026
-
Around 3pm, the judges took their first sips.—
Mark Dent,
HubSpot,
15 May 2026
Verb
-
For an easy way to create Parmesan slices instead of grated cheese, simply use a potato peeler to shave thin strips directly from the wedge.—
Linda Gassenheimer,
Boston Herald,
20 May 2026
-
One French director, Xavier Gens, told Reuters here that AI tools could have cut the visual effects budget of his Netflix hit Under Paris in half and shaved eight months off the schedule.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
19 May 2026
Verb
-
Roll pastry around filling, pinching to seal.—
Shelly Westerhausen Worcel,
Midwest Living,
15 May 2026
-
Until there’s clarity — the NFL is reportedly seeking an increase of roughly $5 billion annually — the networks are pinching every last penny.—
Jon Wilner,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
Bahia is also where breakfast is served each morning—watch out for the cheeky birds who will steal any of your unattended banana pancakes or breakfast burritos.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
16 May 2026
-
The animatronic creation adorably stole the spotlight from the Mandalorian himself, Pedro Pascal, as well as other human collaborators like Sigourney Weaver (Colonel Ward) and director Jon Favreau (who managed to score a red carpet photo opportunity with the rising lime-green superstar).—
Bryan Alexander,
USA Today,
16 May 2026
Verb
-
Set over the course of eight years (including the lockdown period during COVID), Herry’s film unfolds fluidly, neither hurrying scenes up unnecessarily, nor lingering too long on any incident.—
Tomris Laffly,
Variety,
17 May 2026
-
But hurry — popular sizes are selling out fast.—
Maggie Horton,
PEOPLE,
16 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 23 May. 2026.
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