1
as in shaved
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 stole
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 raced
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 nipped
Katie Abel, Footwear News, 26 Sep. 2025
Selome Hailu, Variety, 1 June 2026
Darby hit a Scorpion Death Drop and nipped up to his feet.
—Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 24 May 2026
But a pivotal Supreme Court case nipped it in the bud.
—Tim Balk Danny Hakim Michelle Litvin Luke Broadwater, New York Times, 10 May 2026
To prove out the findings in real biology, Schramma stuck his arm back into the fish tank, nipped more leaves, and snapped microscope images of the cells within to measure Elodea’s actual packing fractions.
—Quanta Magazine, 4 May 2026
In 1968, an overzealous pup nipped a postman delivering mail to Balmoral Castle.
—Zoey Lyttle, PEOPLE, 19 Apr. 2026
Merrimack College was eliminated by North Dakota, Providence College was bounced by Quinnipiac and the University of Connecticut was nipped by Michigan State on Thursday.
—Barry Scanlon, Boston Herald, 27 Mar. 2026
There was also a scuba aesthetic that continued from last season with honkering inflatable coats, cocooning anoraks, and neoprene blazers nipped at the waist that looked like couture life vests and scuba suits.
—Kevin Huynh, InStyle, 12 Mar. 2026
As horses nipped at bags of hay, families ate and the children danced to live music.
—Jhair Romero, Houston Chronicle, 3 Mar. 2026
Adjective
One standout style, with its elongated pointed nipped toe, is crafted in carbon fiber and galvanized in a car factory.
—Katie Abel, Footwear News, 26 Sep. 2025
Verb
But Sweeney nipped that idea in the bud.
—Selome Hailu, Variety, 1 June 2026
Darby hit a Scorpion Death Drop and nipped up to his feet.
—Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 24 May 2026
But a pivotal Supreme Court case nipped it in the bud.
—Tim Balk Danny Hakim Michelle Litvin Luke Broadwater, New York Times, 10 May 2026
To prove out the findings in real biology, Schramma stuck his arm back into the fish tank, nipped more leaves, and snapped microscope images of the cells within to measure Elodea’s actual packing fractions.
—Quanta Magazine, 4 May 2026
In 1968, an overzealous pup nipped a postman delivering mail to Balmoral Castle.
—Zoey Lyttle, PEOPLE, 19 Apr. 2026
Merrimack College was eliminated by North Dakota, Providence College was bounced by Quinnipiac and the University of Connecticut was nipped by Michigan State on Thursday.
—Barry Scanlon, Boston Herald, 27 Mar. 2026
There was also a scuba aesthetic that continued from last season with honkering inflatable coats, cocooning anoraks, and neoprene blazers nipped at the waist that looked like couture life vests and scuba suits.
—Kevin Huynh, InStyle, 12 Mar. 2026
As horses nipped at bags of hay, families ate and the children danced to live music.
—Jhair Romero, Houston Chronicle, 3 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nipped
Adjective
-
Beat with chilled beaters of a mixer on medium until soft peaks form (tips curl).—
Jessica Saari Christensen,
Better Homes & Gardens,
2 June 2026
-
Some of the brunch buffet options are chilaquiles, waffles, a sausage scramble, chilled shrimp, salmon, mini meatballs, seasonal vegetables, short rib pasta and chicken marsala.—
Carlos Rico,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
22 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Darby Allin Fans were very thirsty to see MJF have his head shaved bald.—
Alfred Konuwa,
Forbes.com,
24 May 2026
-
Stone famously shaved off all of her hair in 2024 for her role in Bugonia.—
Lara Walsh,
InStyle,
21 May 2026
Verb
-
Petritz says leaves with sunscald can be pinched off.—
Samantha Johnson,
Martha Stewart,
30 May 2026
-
Fonseca served out under pressure to take the match into a deciding set, and when Djokovic, a master of closing, pinched an early break for 3-1, Fonseca simply broke back immediately.—
Charlie Eccleshare,
New York Times,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
The Office Romance actress stole the show at the Netflix film’s New York City premiere on June 2, dazzling in a naked illusion corset gown that covered her curves in dreamy blooms.—
Lara Walsh,
InStyle,
3 June 2026
-
Andujar reached on an infield single to start the fourth inning and stole second base on the final pitch of Jackson Merrill’s strikeout.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
3 June 2026
Verb
-
These two great rivals never raced each other again.—
Scott M. Reid,
Oc Register,
30 May 2026
-
After exchanging blows, the youngster raced on to a Djokovic drop shot before exquisitely returning with a faint backhand of his own, leaving his opponent with his hands on his knees in disbelief.—
Thomas Schlachter,
CNN Money,
29 May 2026
Adjective
-
When Bill’s older brother Henry (Barry Ward) finds the pianist in numbed solitude in his dingy apartment, Bill has canceled all his upcoming gigs, saying Scotty cannot be replaced.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Ingber also notes the numbed response to these strikes from much of the American public, something that, in part, may come from the routine nature of these drone strikes as something that the nation has become desensitized to dropping bombs on enemies.—
Rebecca Schneid,
Time,
21 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The shortstop also rocketed a 441-foot, two-run home run off Giants right-hander Keaton Winn in the eighth to cut San Francisco’s lead to 4-3.—
Patrick Saunders,
Denver Post,
30 May 2026
-
Based on 2026 opening day figures, eight teams would have to cut payroll to get under the cap.—
Ronald Blum,
Fortune,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
The rapper, who pleaded not guilty to all charges, has been held at the Brooklyn Metropolitan Detention Center since he was arrested in September 2024.—
Daniel S. Levine,
People.com,
6 Aug. 2025
-
That means every state budget could be held hostage until the whims of a small fraction of legislators is satisfied.—
Ross O'Keefe,
The Washington Examiner,
6 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Nipped.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nipped. Accessed 6 Jun. 2026.
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