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
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Recent Examples of nip
Ron Estes, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2025
The affection can build up and lead to a slight nip at each other.
—Ron Estes, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2025
Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 19 Apr. 2025
Case Notes • After two-quarters of a season balancing between mythical and human dangers, Dark Winds nips the question of whether Yé’iitsoh is a character or metaphor in the bud.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 14 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for nip
Noun
The affection can build up and lead to a slight nip at each other.
—Ron Estes, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2025
The affection can build up and lead to a slight nip at each other.
—Ron Estes, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2025
Verb
This opens up the possibility of Wycombe either clinching automatic promotion before their two rivals play, or the door being prised open for either Wrexham or Charlton to nip through and set up a nerve-wracking final day.
—Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 19 Apr. 2025
Case Notes • After two-quarters of a season balancing between mythical and human dangers, Dark Winds nips the question of whether Yé’iitsoh is a character or metaphor in the bud.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 14 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for nip
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nip
Verb
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It’s shaved into unruly ribbons, and half the contents spill from the sandwich.—
Jenn Harris,
Los Angeles Times,
12 May 2025
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Wall Street's rebound came after the U.S. and China said in a joint statement earlier Monday that the U.S. will shave tariffs on Chinese goods down to 30 percent from as high as 145 percent.—
Sonam Sheth
Gabe Whisnant,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 May 2025
Verb
-
The World Cup winner will often closely follow them into the opposition’s half and try to pinch the ball.—
Jay Harris,
New York Times,
1 May 2025
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For now, goods are subject to import taxes, not programming services, but the tariffs will raise consumer prices, pinching pocketbooks, and may lead to softer advertising.—
Jill Goldsmith,
Deadline,
29 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Mike gets into a brawl when Nathan (Dickinson, uncredited), a fellow addict also living rough, steals his wallet and blows all his cash.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
17 May 2025
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The ‘Turkey Brothers’ steal the encore with a boisterous jam As fans begged for an encore to an empty stage, an unlikely guest took center stage.—
Alyssa Goldberg,
USA Today,
17 May 2025
Verb
-
In the clip, Danielle filmed her dog hurrying to the corner by the door.—
Tom Rogers,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 Apr. 2025
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Juan and Alfredo—who arrives just afterward—don’t have time to mourn their friend’s death and hurry to leave after seeing people with flashlights heading toward the building.—
Isadora Wandermurem,
Time,
1 May 2025
Verb
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Board member Allen Zeman noted that the district has regularly cut teaching positions when enrollment has fallen but hasn’t done the same for central office jobs.—
Scott Travis,
Sun Sentinel,
10 May 2025
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Any of these topics would make for excellent discussion after the Cavs’ 126-104 Game 3 win over the Pacers, which cut their deficit in this Eastern Conference semifinal series to 2-1 with Game 4 Sunday.—
Joe Vardon,
New York Times,
10 May 2025
Verb
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Particularly in less densely populated parts of America, plenty of government officials and citizens still hold a grudge over the way businesses and schools were temporarily shut down.—
Stephanie Zacharek,
Time,
17 May 2025
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The result is partial solutions that rarely hold under pressure.—
Wyles Daniel,
USA Today,
17 May 2025
Verb
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The price may steepen with a rival tax, but the Yankees certainly would love the opportunity to swipe one of their rival's best players.—
Hunter Mulholland,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 May 2025
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If loathing immigrants and swiping right on the Third Reich is extremism, then the label does seem to fit at least part of the AfD’s leadership.—
Graeme Wood,
The Atlantic,
13 May 2025
Verb
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While some were rushing to a last-minute facial or doing one final fitting, friends of LaQuan Smith took the night before the Met as a chance to unwind before the big day.—
Leigh Nordstrom,
Footwear News,
5 May 2025
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That high prices foretell lower prices rates more discussion as Republicans and conservatives rush to anoint former Fed Governor Kevin Warsh as the next Fed Chairman.—
John Tamny,
Forbes.com,
4 May 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 21 May. 2025.
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