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
Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 15 Jan. 2026
The injury bug has nipped at the Packers all season, and now is no different, especially on special teams.
—Matt Schneidman, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
Boise State head coach Spencer Danielson nipped that idea in the bud following Saturday night’s loss.
—Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 14 Dec. 2025
Tiafoe nipped Alcaraz in a tiebreaker in 2024.
—Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 5 Dec. 2025
Elsewhere, a glass of orange juice propped on the side of an easel seemed to hint at an artist who just nipped out for a break.
—Joelle Diderich, Footwear News, 27 Oct. 2025
Yet, the club still nipped the Lakers on 2024-25 revenue, $620 million to $618 million, thanks to the playoff run—the Lakers lost in the first round.
—Kurt Badenhausen, Sportico.com, 22 Oct. 2025
However, Lefty nipped the rumor in the bud by posting on X that there is no chance of this happening.
—Julio Cesar Valdera Morales, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Sep. 2025
Walker Buehler and three relievers combined on a five-hitter as the Philadelphia Phillies nipped the visiting Miami Marlins 1-0 on Thursday.
—Miami Herald, 25 Sep. 2025
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
Then Kyle Shanahan nipped the situation in the bud on Thursday.
—Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 15 Jan. 2026
The injury bug has nipped at the Packers all season, and now is no different, especially on special teams.
—Matt Schneidman, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
Boise State head coach Spencer Danielson nipped that idea in the bud following Saturday night’s loss.
—Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 14 Dec. 2025
Tiafoe nipped Alcaraz in a tiebreaker in 2024.
—Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 5 Dec. 2025
Elsewhere, a glass of orange juice propped on the side of an easel seemed to hint at an artist who just nipped out for a break.
—Joelle Diderich, Footwear News, 27 Oct. 2025
Yet, the club still nipped the Lakers on 2024-25 revenue, $620 million to $618 million, thanks to the playoff run—the Lakers lost in the first round.
—Kurt Badenhausen, Sportico.com, 22 Oct. 2025
However, Lefty nipped the rumor in the bud by posting on X that there is no chance of this happening.
—Julio Cesar Valdera Morales, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Sep. 2025
Walker Buehler and three relievers combined on a five-hitter as the Philadelphia Phillies nipped the visiting Miami Marlins 1-0 on Thursday.
—Miami Herald, 25 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nipped
Adjective
-
Lunch at Jardin Tropézina beach club leans Mediterranean and effortless, best enjoyed with chilled rosé.—
Amy Louise Bailey,
Travel + Leisure,
19 Jan. 2026
-
How To Use Pie Weights To use pie weights properly, line a chilled crust with parchment paper or foil, then fill at least 2/3 of the way up with weights.—
Katie Rosenhouse,
Southern Living,
24 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Indoor dogs often shed insulating undercoats and shouldn't be shaved in winter; their natural coats provide warmth.—
Sergio Candido,
CBS News,
24 Jan. 2026
-
The 5-foot-10 Kelly scored four of Lincoln-Way East’s seven points in the third to keep the Griffins afloat as Lockport shaved a 31-15 deficit early in the quarter down to 36-28 heading into the fourth.—
Jeff Vorva,
Chicago Tribune,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Non-wealthy Americans, though, have been feeling more and more pinched.—
Trevor Bach,
Dallas Morning News,
26 Jan. 2026
-
The first set, from 1912 to 1915, shows Schjerfbeck in her fifties, her face milk white, her lips pinched and stern.—
Zachary Fine,
New Yorker,
19 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The jewelers that the suspects stole from are also seeking answers from immigration authorities.—
Landon Mion,
FOXNews.com,
22 Jan. 2026
-
The suspect escaped again, stole another vehicle at gunpoint and left the city, police said.—
Jason Green,
Mercury News,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The mother and her other son raced to the bridge and alerted police.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
22 Jan. 2026
-
Mobley missed a long 3-pointer at the other end and Minnesota guard Langston Reynolds raced the other way for a layup that rolled off the rim.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
21 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
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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San Marcos got the lead back to six before Mission Hills again cut it to one with 20 seconds to go.—
John Maffei,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
24 Jan. 2026
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The European Union has mandated that about 80% of new car sales in 2030 should be electric and 100% (since provisionally cut to 90%) in 2035.—
Neil Winton,
Forbes.com,
24 Jan. 2026
Verb
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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 28 Jan. 2026.
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