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
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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
-
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
-
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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Grace is coming off his scene stealing role as the villain in the Netflix drama The Waterfront, which also stars Maria Bello and Holt McCallany.—
Justin Kroll,
Deadline,
7 Aug. 2025
-
The Thunder star and Converse stole the show that weekend, making their presence felt all over the city with signage and an epic pop-up that gave fans a first look at the SHAI 001 in person.—
Nick Crain,
Forbes.com,
7 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Then Maye barked signals and hurried the offense back to the line, as the defense showed blitz.—
Andrew Callahan,
Boston Herald,
1 Aug. 2025
-
Several people were seen hurrying to help Warren, including Susan Collins of Maine and Texas Senator Ted Cruz, who grabbed her by her forearm to lift her up.—
Angel Saunders,
People.com,
1 Aug. 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
-
The goal, according to Pardo, was to increase voter turnout by aligning with the national election cycle while also cutting election costs.—
Tess Riski
August 2,
Miami Herald,
2 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
He is being held without bond at the Washington County Detention Center.—
NWA Democrat-Gazette,
Arkansas Online,
8 Aug. 2025
-
Regardless of what the future holds, Roman Anthony has set himself and his family up for life, and the Red Sox have locked in yet another piece of their future at a reasonable rate.—
Dan Freedman,
Forbes.com,
8 Aug. 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
-
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
-
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 12 Aug. 2025.
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