nip 1 of 3

noun (1)

Definition of nipnext
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

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2
as in shred
a very small amount I'll have just a nip of your sandwich

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3
as in chill
an uncomfortable degree of coolness there's a nip in the air today

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

nip

2 of 3

noun (2)

as in sip
the portion of a serving of a beverage that is swallowed at one time give me just a nip of milk to help me swallow this pill

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nip

3 of 3

verb

ˈnip How to pronounce nip (audio)
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to pinch
to squeeze tightly between two surfaces, edges, or points the puppy nipped her hand while playing

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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

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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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of nip
Noun
Pay attention to the temperatures in your area; there may be a nighttime nip in the air in the upper South, while most Southern states don’t see real heat relief until late October (if then). — Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 6 Aug. 2026 This lens is made up of 20 elements and two mirrors plus a large-diameter aspherical lens that nips distortion and aberration in the bud. — New Atlas, 6 Aug. 2026
Verb
Lil Yachty, Williams’ valet, has kept nipping at Corbin’s heels. — Ryan Gaydos Outkick, FOXNews.com, 6 Sep. 2026 For instance, teaching your dog how to play with a pull toy can help reduce nipping at hands and strengthen the bond between human and dog. — Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for nip
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nip
  1. spice
  2. shred
  3. chill
  4. sip
  5. shave
  6. pinch
  7. steal
  8. hurry
Noun
  • Rosemary, the resort’s signature restaurant serves plant-forward cuisine that incorporates regional ingredients and spices.
    — Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Next, add 5 teaspoons of pumpkin pie spice and let the mixture simmer gently for 5 minutes.
    — BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of spice
Noun
  • The congress has repeatedly amended the constitution to concentrate power in Ortega’s hands and eliminate any shred of democratic independence and dissent.
    — Sergio R. Bustos, Miami Herald, 19 Sep. 2026
  • On the greatest night of his greatest coaching feat, Sarkisian acted without grace or a shred of tact.
    — Candace Buckner, New York Times, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of shred
Noun
  • The sudden sense of isolation and the threat represented by the low-Hz will send a chill up your spine.
    — Sadie Sartini Garner, Pitchfork, 4 Oct. 2026
  • After six days, 57% of study participants who had VYD2311 injected into the muscle of their upper arm reported headaches, chills, fatigue or pain at the injection site — the typical side effects associated with vaccinations.
    — Adam Feuerstein, STAT, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of chill
Noun
  • Our editors appreciated that every sip was full of spice, with an authentically fresh flavor that could hold up to cozy warm temperatures without a lot of extra doctoring up.
    — Catherine Jessee, Southern Living, 26 Sep. 2026
  • Cola Addict captures that fizzy first sip with zippy lemon and lime, spicy ginger, and a kick of cinnamon that almost mimics the tingle of carbonation.
    — Amanda Le, InStyle, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of sip
Verb
  • Judge Underhill could have added to the 10 years of incarceration that the federal sentencing guidelines recommend but instead departed downward from them and shaved three years off them.
    — Kevin Rennie, Hartford Courant, 3 Oct. 2026
  • The option could be useful when customers don’t have enough miles for the entire ticket and are looking to shave some cash off the ticket price.
    — Leslie Josephs, CNBC, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of shave
Verb
  • Consumer spending has been growing even as higher prices continue to pinch many households.
    — Scott Horsley, NPR, 19 Sep. 2026
  • Without stretch, jeans can pinch waists or cause discomfort when moving or sitting.
    — Fairchild Studio, Footwear News, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of pinch
Verb
  • That includes organizing plots to set fire to warehouses, launching drones and trying to kill enemies abroad as well as stealing defense technology and carrying out cyberattacks on critical European infrastructure.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 29 Sep. 2026
  • The Weld County Sheriff's Office says a woman broke into a business in the 800 block of 25th Avenue on Friday and stole about $4,000 worth of copper wire.
    — Christa Swanson, CBS News, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of steal
Verb
  • Some hurried to try to unmask the anonymous woman behind the accusations.
    — Lauren Mascarenhas, CNN Money, 30 Sep. 2026
  • There is no need to hurry with additional rate hikes and policymakers can sit and wait for how the geopolitical risks play out.
    — Fred Imbert, CNBC, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of hurry

Phrases Containing nip

Browse Nearby Words

ninnyhammers
nip
nip and tuck
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Cite this Entry

“Nip.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nip. Accessed 6 Oct. 2026.

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Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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