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
Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 11 Dec. 2025
While our personal faves are the natural nips, the brand also offers smooth nipple covers.
—Malia Griggs, Glamour, 10 Dec. 2025
New Atlas, 10 Feb. 2026
This could easily have been nipped in the bud had Brook confessed to what had happened before the third ODI in Wellington, rather than halfway through the game itself, and then immediately been suspended just for that game by England.
—Paul Newman, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for nip
Noun
Let’s nip this in the bud—yes, Jack Daniel’s is Tennessee whiskey that is filtered through sugar maple charcoal before barreling, part of the Lincoln County Process.
—Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 11 Dec. 2025
While our personal faves are the natural nips, the brand also offers smooth nipple covers.
—Malia Griggs, Glamour, 10 Dec. 2025
Verb
Where the sharpness and definition can fade as viewers pull back projectors for super large screenings, AWOL Vision hit CES 2026 with a new model aimed at nipping that in the bud.
—New Atlas, 10 Feb. 2026
This could easily have been nipped in the bud had Brook confessed to what had happened before the third ODI in Wellington, rather than halfway through the game itself, and then immediately been suspended just for that game by England.
—Paul Newman, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for nip
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nip
Verb
-
And yet, the southpaw found a way to pitch through the pain in his elbow, which underwent offseason surgery to remove loose bodies and shave down a bone spur.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
14 Feb. 2026
-
In his 1939 version, William Wyler shaves away huge chunks of the story.—
Stephanie Zacharek,
Time,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The pocket is easily pinched closed.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Leaves can appear cupped or pinched when there is an insect infestation present.—
Molly Burford,
Southern Living,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
With a 125-122 lead and the ball in the closing seconds, James threw a dangerous cross-court pass intended for Doncic that Nicolas Batum stole.—
Broderick Turner,
Los Angeles Times,
21 Feb. 2026
-
The action comes as a trial is approaching in a federal corruption case in which several former union executives — among them ousted International President Newton Jones — are charged with allegedly scheming to steal $20 million in union funds.—
Judy L. Thomas,
Kansas City Star,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Residents who have returned to Indian border villages wish the officials would hurry up.—
Omkar Khandekar,
NPR,
17 Feb. 2026
-
But hurry—today is your last chance to score up to 65 percent off on best-selling styles.—
Sophie Dodd,
Travel + Leisure,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
This week’s spat in Belgium came soon after the US ambassador to Poland, Tom Rose, announced on February 5 that the US would cut ties with Włodzimierz Czarzasty, the speaker of Poland’s lower parliament, the Sejm.—
Christian Edwards,
CNN Money,
21 Feb. 2026
-
Superintendent Brian Yearwood originally proposed cutting academic instructional coaches as part of a plan to address a $188 million deficit in the 2026-27 budget.—
Kathryn Muchnick,
Louisville Courier Journal,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The Gophers and Ducks were both ice cold in the first half, with the U holding an unsightly 22-13 lead.—
Andy Greder,
Twin Cities,
18 Feb. 2026
-
This brought Falmouth’s deficit to as low as four points, and Hanover held a narrow 43-37 the end of the quarter.—
Zach McMahon,
Boston Herald,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Proponents said the change will help businesses better absorb the transaction fees that credit card companies are allowed to charge each time someone swipes their credit card.—
Barbara Hoberock,
Oklahoman,
19 Feb. 2026
-
The person appears to heckle and point his camera phone at Hoiberg, who swiped at the phone with his right hand.—
Eric Olson,
Chicago Tribune,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Parents rushed to get their kids vaccinated.—
Jon LaPook,
CBS News,
22 Feb. 2026
-
Their teammates immediately rushed over, and Pippen and Gardner were both ejected from the game after the altercation was broken up.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
22 Feb. 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 25 Feb. 2026.
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