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
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
Bowen nipped in ahead of Calvin Bassey and passed to Summerville, who advanced to stroke his fifth league goal of the season, and seventh in 10 appearances across all competitions, into the unguarded net.
—Roshane Thomas, New York Times, 5 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
Why weren’t these unsavory tactics nipped in the bud?
—Bea L. Hines, Miami Herald, 13 Feb. 2026
Kurt Busch nipped Johnson by eight points in 2004, followed by Stewart’s 52-point margin in 2005.
—Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 Feb. 2026
Mercedes pulled the wraps off the 2027 S500 4Matic, S580 4Matic, and S580e 4Matic today, heralding a not completely new, but largely refreshed, nipped, and tucked version of the German automaker’s flagship sedan.
—Jerry Perez, The Drive, 29 Jan. 2026
Then Kyle Shanahan nipped the situation in the bud on Thursday.
—Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 15 Jan. 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
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
Bowen nipped in ahead of Calvin Bassey and passed to Summerville, who advanced to stroke his fifth league goal of the season, and seventh in 10 appearances across all competitions, into the unguarded net.
—Roshane Thomas, New York Times, 5 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
Why weren’t these unsavory tactics nipped in the bud?
—Bea L. Hines, Miami Herald, 13 Feb. 2026
Kurt Busch nipped Johnson by eight points in 2004, followed by Stewart’s 52-point margin in 2005.
—Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 Feb. 2026
Mercedes pulled the wraps off the 2027 S500 4Matic, S580 4Matic, and S580e 4Matic today, heralding a not completely new, but largely refreshed, nipped, and tucked version of the German automaker’s flagship sedan.
—Jerry Perez, The Drive, 29 Jan. 2026
Then Kyle Shanahan nipped the situation in the bud on Thursday.
—Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 15 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nipped
Adjective
-
Freeze for up to 12 hours before serving for optimal texture and chilled temperature.—
Amanda Favazza,
Southern Living,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Anyone wanting to plant tulip bulbs in warmer climates, like those in the southern United States, will need to purchase pre-chilled bulbs to plant annually.—
Michelle Mastro,
Architectural Digest,
24 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Colbert pulled out another series still of the actor who appeared naked and obscured by an open newspaper while his wife, Lois, played by Jane Kaczmarek, shaved his back.—
Emily St. Martin,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Apr. 2026
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Resurfacing and Sculpting treatment shaved years off of my skin’s appearance (and all of its New York City congestion) in a matter of 60 minutes.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
During that time, the world’s oil supply will remain pinched.—
Daniel de Visé,
USA Today,
8 Apr. 2026
-
He’s been there for more than 40 years, but the plaque telling his story to passersby got pinched a long time ago.—
Patt Morrison,
Los Angeles Times,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Jackson Merrill followed with a single and stole second before Bogaerts hit a two-run single to center.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
15 Apr. 2026
-
One laborer stole a parking placard and made a copy of it in order to park in a secure lot, the OIG found.—
Talia Soglin,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The measure cleared the Senate by voice vote, without a formal roll call, as Congress raced to meet a Monday deadline.—
Joey Cappelletti,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Apr. 2026
-
While the Avs raced to a historic 31-2-7 start, there were some mixed results in the second half of the season.—
Corey Masisak,
Denver Post,
17 Apr. 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
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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
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The newscast cut the bodycam footage after his entry to protect her identity, but Vogel proudly said there was no cause for concern.—
Angel Saunders,
PEOPLE,
18 Apr. 2026
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In April 2009, a unanimous council — including first-year member Todd Gloria — embraced Sanders’ plan to impose a 6% cut in pay and benefits for city workers, cutting the shortfall in half.—
U T Editorial Board,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
18 Apr. 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
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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 20 Apr. 2026.
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