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
Bruce Handy, Vulture, 20 May 2025
Some of those gardeners at the sale may begin their patchwork right after Mother’s Day, but that plan can backfire when a cold front moves in, like what is happening this week, and frost can nip those fragile young seedlings.
—Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 19 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
By the time Eclipse was published in August 2007, the series had acquired an obsessive fandom big enough to nip at the heels of those devoted to Harry Potter or Star Wars.
—Bruce Handy, Vulture, 20 May 2025
Some of those gardeners at the sale may begin their patchwork right after Mother’s Day, but that plan can backfire when a cold front moves in, like what is happening this week, and frost can nip those fragile young seedlings.
—Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 19 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for nip
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nip
Verb
-
The index dipped only slightly, but that nonetheless shaved off some gains from what could have been a higher high.—
Yeo Boon Ping,
CNBC,
30 June 2025
-
This was in the days when only lunatics or scary white punks had shaved heads.—
Hilton Als,
New Yorker,
30 June 2025
Verb
-
Panic can result if the loss pinches your finances.—
Catherine Brock,
Forbes.com,
28 June 2025
-
My toes were pinched by crabs approximately thirty times.—
David Litt
June 25,
Literary Hub,
25 June 2025
Verb
-
This attack works through thousands of dangerous websites, stealing credit card or PayPal details as soon as they’re entered.—
Zak Doffman,
Forbes.com,
2 July 2025
-
In a near-future Kolkata, ravaged by climate change, one family is about to escape, until their visas are stolen.—
Literary Hub
July 1,
Literary Hub,
1 July 2025
Verb
-
If Tehran now hurries to make atomic bombs in secret — and if other countries in the region then build their own nukes for self-protection — the tactical triumph of Midnight Hammer will turn into a strategic disaster.—
Andreas Kluth,
Mercury News,
28 June 2025
-
Gladys told her mother to hurry up and prepare dinner before 6 p.m., when the whole family usually sat down together.—
Mara Bovsun,
New York Daily News,
28 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
-
Second, deploy generative AI to automate core workflows, cut headcount, and expand EBITDA margins to 40% or more.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
27 June 2025
Verb
-
Of course, some 2021 investors held onto their shares after a SPAC completed its merger with a business and ended up owning stock in the surviving entity, though many of them likely lost money.—
Luisa Beltran,
Fortune,
1 July 2025
-
But what if this isn’t a fight to win, but a lesson in learning how to hold your center amidst chaos?—
Meghan Rose,
Glamour,
1 July 2025
Verb
-
After applying your base color of choice—something neutral—swipe a pop of color over the top one-third of your nail, all the way to your nail tip.—
Kaitlyn Yarborough,
Southern Living,
28 June 2025
-
Artificial intelligence is swiping jobs from new graduates.—
Daniel de Visé,
USA Today,
28 June 2025
Verb
-
Humanity is rushing toward a climate cliff, and MAGA is jamming its foot on the gas pedal.—
Reader Commentary,
Baltimore Sun,
6 July 2025
-
Pascual suffered a massive head injury and was rushed to Maimonides Medical Center where he was put on life support.—
Colin Mixson,
New York Daily News,
6 July 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 11 Jul. 2025.
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