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
Kelsey Glennon, Southern Living, 29 July 2025
Collective action at the global level is necessary to blunt the worst effects of climate change and nip future pandemics in the bud.
—Stacie E. Goddard, Foreign Affairs, 28 July 2025
Harriette Cole, Mercury News, 1 Sep. 2025
Why has the entire world caught onto the dangers of this advertising, but the land of the free refuses to nip it in the bud?
—Alex Ward, Boston Herald, 15 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for nip
Noun
For sand fleas, a tiny critter that nips at ankles on Gulf beaches at dawn and dusk, try essential oil repellents.
—Kelsey Glennon, Southern Living, 29 July 2025
Collective action at the global level is necessary to blunt the worst effects of climate change and nip future pandemics in the bud.
—Stacie E. Goddard, Foreign Affairs, 28 July 2025
Verb
The only way to nip this in the bud is to be direct.
—Harriette Cole, Mercury News, 1 Sep. 2025
Why has the entire world caught onto the dangers of this advertising, but the land of the free refuses to nip it in the bud?
—Alex Ward, Boston Herald, 15 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for nip
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nip
Verb
-
The efficiencies gained through the unique printing process also help save resources, and can shave off costs.—
Kate Nishimura,
Sourcing Journal,
30 Sep. 2025
-
Over the course of a career, fees this high can shave tens of thousands (if not hundreds of thousands) off a teacher's retirement savings.—
Steve Hruby,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Jean stepped out as Nia approached—lean and arrogant, a cigarette pinched between her lips.—
David Wright Faladé,
New Yorker,
28 Sep. 2025
-
The mixture should be shaggy and hold together when pinched.—
Staff Author,
Better Homes & Gardens,
28 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Of course, due to all of these developments, everyone finally knows that the man who kidnapped Sam and stole the dope is Robbie Pendergrast.—
Grace Byron,
Vulture,
6 Oct. 2025
-
But their double life gets complicated when a rival boy band harboring a sinister secret starts to steal their fans.—
Raven Brunner,
PEOPLE,
5 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The idea was to hurry the process and get a cup of coffee into the consumer's hands as quickly as possible.—
Lyndsay C. Green,
Freep.com,
28 Sep. 2025
-
Guests of the event, dressed up in cocktail attire, admitted to feeling sheepish, reminded so powerfully about the current context, and hurried their way inside the storied building more quickly than in previous editions.—
Luisa Zargani,
Footwear News,
28 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Vance said one portion of Democrats are making unreasonable demands to restore more than $1 trillion over the next decade in healthcare spending that was cut earlier this year.—
Bart Jansen,
USA Today,
4 Oct. 2025
-
Training, professional development, and the Safe Cities Partnership are among the areas cut.—
Paul Egan,
Freep.com,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Republicans balked, accusing Democrats of holding the government hostage by standing in the way of continued federal funding unless their health-care demands are met.—
Kevin Breuninger,Sam Meredith,
CNBC,
1 Oct. 2025
-
While Avatar 2 will have 90% of the Imax, One Battle After Another will hold onto its Imax 70MM auditoriums.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The charging bear slams against the car as the door closes, swiping at the space where the man's head was moments before.—
Kelli Bender,
PEOPLE,
26 Sep. 2025
-
One Philadelphia fan said seven tickets acquired for their brother’s bachelor party were swiped sometime before the day of the game.—
Jacob Feldman,
Sportico.com,
24 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
White has the Bucs' only rushing touchdown this season.—
Josh Buckhalter,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Oct. 2025
-
Normally, that kind of rushed means my base slips within a couple of hours—but Magic Hour came through again.—
Francesca Krempa,
StyleCaster,
30 Sep. 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 6 Oct. 2025.
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