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
-
Shortly after revealing her diagnosis in February 2025, Mellencamp shaved her head to prep for surgery to remove a few of the tumors.—
Ashley Hume,
FOXNews.com,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Brett Baty had a two-run single that shaved New York's deficit to 4-3 in the eighth, but Mark Vientos lined into an inning-ending double play with two runners aboard.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Should this be necessary, especially for families already getting pinched at the grocery store and gas pump?—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
15 Apr. 2026
-
During that time, the world’s oil supply will remain pinched.—
Daniel de Visé,
USA Today,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The guava version is a classic, but the chocolate croissant stole the show.—
Tristan Graziano,
Charlotte Observer,
22 Apr. 2026
-
Authorities announced charges against another man from whom the shooter allegedly stole the gun used to carry out the shooting, and that man was legally banned from possessing guns because of a past felony.—
Emily Mae Czachor,
CBS News,
22 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Their fans will have cast a nervous glance at the goal difference column after City raced into the lead at Turf Moor through Erling Haaland after five minutes.—
Mark Carey,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
-
The Marlins raced out to a 3-0 lead in the top of the first thanks to Xavier Edwards’ RBI double and Liam Hicks’ two-run homer, an impressive drive that cut through a cold San Francisco night.—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
25 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
-
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
-
When the Broncos cut Greenlaw, the 49ers wasted no time in bringing him back to pair with middle linebacker Fred Warner in hopes of reviving one of the NFL’s top linebacker tandems.—
Jerry McDonald,
Mercury News,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Jacksonville general manager James Gladstone and coach Liam Coen cut their teeth as part of the Rams organization, learning from GM Les Snead and coach Sean McVay.—
Mark Long,
The Orlando Sentinel,
25 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
-
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 27 Apr. 2026.
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