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
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Recent Examples of nip
Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 21 Apr. 2025
Opposite is the fat and welcoming British Library, composed of 10 million bricks, a number that merely nips at the toes of the 60-million-brick St. Pancras Hotel next door.
—Francesca Carington, New York Times, 18 Feb. 2025
Jeremy Mikula, NBC news, 31 May 2025
Revenue also nipped expectations, coming in at $1.02 billion, up 16% from the same period in 2024.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 1 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for nip
Noun
The program is designed to help cities and towns provide for collection and proper disposal of nips and to prevent littering.
—Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 21 Apr. 2025
Opposite is the fat and welcoming British Library, composed of 10 million bricks, a number that merely nips at the toes of the 60-million-brick St. Pancras Hotel next door.
—Francesca Carington, New York Times, 18 Feb. 2025
Verb
Rats Bed bugs Cockroaches Mosquitos Answer: A new study using genetic analysis revealed bed bugs have been nipping for 60,000 years, emerging with the first human civilizations.
—Jeremy Mikula, NBC news, 31 May 2025
Revenue also nipped expectations, coming in at $1.02 billion, up 16% from the same period in 2024.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 1 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for nip
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nip
Verb
-
That's a more modest bump to the specs of the previous S5 than the four-cylinder car, although one that still shaves a couple of tenths off the 0–60 time.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
18 June 2025
-
The accelerated pathway shaves time off the degree by eliminating some electives in the curriculum and the transition-to-residency coursework that’s usually offered in the fourth year.—
Michael T. Nietzel,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2025
Verb
-
In the eighth, Chisholm ripped a 3-0 fastball over the middle off the wall in right-center field to score Ben Rice and pinch runner Paul Goldschmidt, giving the Yankees a 3-2 lead.—
Brendan Kuty,
New York Times,
22 June 2025
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If a child swallows two magnets or a magnet as well as anything that is attracted to a magnet, the magnets can pinch digestive tissue or create a blockage, which can cut off the blood supply to their intestines or stomach.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
18 June 2025
Verb
-
And like the most recent case out of Iowa, stealing someone else’s flag to burn could also be criminal, the organization said.—
Saleen Martin,
USA Today,
21 June 2025
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Also starring Clooney in a leading role, The Monuments Men tells the true story of a group of museum curators, art historians and architects tasked with an unlikely mission: tracking down and recovering priceless works of art stolen by the Nazis before they’re destroyed forever.—
Travis Bean,
Forbes.com,
21 June 2025
Verb
-
The woman and her caretaker hurried home after spotting the animal, the outlet noted.—
Becca Longmire,
People.com,
12 June 2025
-
The ship’s list was already so pronounced that the drawer of the café’s cash register was slung open, and the pair were passed by officers and stewards hurrying to their boat stations, their arms out to each side like customers negotiating the tumbling barrel of a fun house.—
Jim Shepard,
New Yorker,
8 June 2025
Verb
-
The prospect of trying to cut open a stubborn 5-4-1 block in the Orlando heat could have become torturous quite quickly.—
Liam Tharme,
New York Times,
28 June 2025
-
According to a report on Bloomberg, MSFT is planning to cut thousands of jobs in its Xbox gaming division.—
MoneyShow,
Forbes.com,
27 June 2025
Verb
-
GoTo also holds a 22% stake in Bank Jago, an Indonesian digital bank.—
Lionel Lim,
Fortune,
22 June 2025
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The mood was amplified by the Israeli attacks on Iran that began over the weekend when many of the initial receptions and gatherings were being held.—
Jerrold Lundquist,
Forbes.com,
21 June 2025
Verb
-
With the app culture, and swiping culture, people are very image focused.—
Barry Levitt,
Time,
18 June 2025
-
The first possession of an OKC game often includes some player swiping at another.—
Fred Katz,
New York Times,
16 June 2025
Verb
-
Pablo the Newfoundland gets dried off after a bath, minutes before he's rushed to the vet.—
Rachael O'Connor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 June 2025
-
Before the doctor could see her, she was rushed to the emergency room.—
Danielle Battaglia,
Charlotte Observer,
24 June 2025
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 30 Jun. 2025.
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