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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of nip
Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 19 May 2025
The dress design is ideal for spotlighting the waistline because of the nip in the middle section of the body.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 7 Feb. 2025
Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 June 2025
Addison Suriano Eastlake Softball The junior threw 226 pitches, fanning 14, as the Titans nipped Christian 2-1 in 12 innings to capture the SoCal Division 2 championship.
—Steve Brand, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for nip
Noun
Calgary Flames beat San Jose Sharks, 4 games to 2.
2007 — Curlin, ridden by Robby Albarado, nips Kentucky Derby winner Street Sense by putting his head in front on the final stride, winning the Preakness Stakes in a riveting finish.
—Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 19 May 2025
The dress design is ideal for spotlighting the waistline because of the nip in the middle section of the body.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 7 Feb. 2025
Verb
The final round of the 2025 Travelers Championship takes place on Sunday with three golfers battling it out, and the rest of the field nipping at their heels, setting up for what should be a thrilling final round of play.
—Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 June 2025
Addison Suriano Eastlake Softball The junior threw 226 pitches, fanning 14, as the Titans nipped Christian 2-1 in 12 innings to capture the SoCal Division 2 championship.
—Steve Brand, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for nip
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nip
Verb
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The 22-year-old likened his hair change to Natalie Portman's major makeover in V for Vendetta, the film that required the actress to shave her head in real time.—
Michelle Lee,
People.com,
5 Aug. 2025
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The predictions do not always come to pass, as July 22 had been predicted to be over a millisecond short, but the data revealed that only 0.87 milliseconds were shaved off, according to the Observatory's data.—
James Powel,
USA Today,
5 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Its main coup is Álex Baena—the playmaker pinched from Villarreal for €50 million ($58 million) including achievable extras at the start of July.—
Henry Flynn,
Forbes.com,
28 July 2025
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Wrap sausage around jalapeño pieces, pinching sausage closed to completely encase each jalapeño.—
Jasmine Smith,
Southern Living,
25 July 2025
Verb
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In the pour, this hybridization results in a sweeter, fruitier nose – raspberry, banana and apricot steal top-notes from the underlying malt.—
Brad Japhe,
Forbes.com,
28 July 2025
-
According to police, West stole from his ex-girlfriend Nancy Jones.—
Gabrielle Chenault,
The Tennessean,
28 July 2025
Verb
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Archer’s first delivery, timed at 87.4mph, hurried the left-handed Jaiswal.—
Paul Newman,
New York Times,
11 July 2025
-
The scene from election night On June 24, the night of the most recent meeting, members hurried into the Picnic House to hear the results of the votes.—
Vanessa Romo,
NPR,
7 July 2025
Verb
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On Thursday, the White House announced that Trump had just sent letters to the heads of 17 major pharmaceutical companies pushing them to cut the prices that Americans have to pay down to the levels that people in other countries pay.—
Bruce Y. Lee,
Forbes.com,
3 Aug. 2025
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At the 400-meter split, the challengers cut two-tenths of a second off Ledecky’s lead to pull within 0.18.—
Zack Pierce,
New York Times,
2 Aug. 2025
Verb
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And believe it or not, plenty are genuinely comfortable, holding their own against traditional footwear.—
Jake Henry Smith,
Glamour,
15 July 2025
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For years, top Trumpworld figures, some of whom currently hold top administration posts, and even the president himself, speculated about Epstein’s death and his alleged blackmail operation.—
Christian Datoc,
The Washington Examiner,
14 July 2025
Verb
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Lee suggests swiping on this pick anywhere (lips, eyes, and cheeks) for a velvety matte flush.—
Conçetta Ciarlo,
Vogue,
1 Aug. 2025
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Bryan Cirino eased into one of the few available parking spots along East Fifth Street at lunchtime, pulled his debit card from his red sweatshirt and swiped it in a city parking meter to pay a 90-minute $5 fee.—
Tony Plohetski,
Austin American Statesman,
30 July 2025
Verb
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Paramedics tried to resuscitate her and rushed her to a nearby hospital, where she was pronounced dead.—
Victoria Moorwood,
The Enquirer,
31 July 2025
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South Korea, which recently dealt with the impeachment of former President Yoon Suk Yeol, rushed with its new leadership to make a deal with the U.S. as the country initially faced a 25% tariff rate against its exports.—
Antonio Pequeño IV,
Forbes.com,
30 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 8 Aug. 2025.
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