nipping 1 of 2

nipping

2 of 2

verb

present participle of nip
1
as in shaving
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
as in pinching
to squeeze tightly between two surfaces, edges, or points the puppy nipped her hand while playing

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

3
4

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of nipping
Adjective
The Supra's sharp handling and responsive powertrains, however, mean its happier nipping apexes than long highway slogs. Drew Dorian, Car and Driver, 21 June 2023 But recent editorials in The People’s Daily—the Chinese Communist Party’s flagship publication—continued to call on China’s population to stick with its approach of staying vigilant and nipping outbreaks in the bud. Sha Hua, WSJ, 18 Nov. 2022 Thanks to a little nipping and tucking, the Nissan Altima receives an attractive facelift for 2023. Eric Stafford, Car and Driver, 9 June 2022 Likewise, her rep handled the announcements about the Bidens' rambunctious rescue dog, Major, who's been involved in several nipping incidents and has to undergo off-site behavior training. USA Today, 27 Apr. 2021 The nipping incident comes a few weeks after the dog caused a minor injury to someone else at the White House. Tim Perry, CBS News, 31 Mar. 2021 Prune Your Shrubs With Regal Shears Sculpting boxwoods into bunnies, trimming your David Austin roses or nipping daisies for a pickle-jar vase? Andrew Nelson, WSJ, 27 Mar. 2021 Del Mar extended its current winning streak to a season-best three in a row by first nipping Lincoln and then nudging San Jose 48-46. Dave Mendonca, The Mercury News, 16 Feb. 2017
Verb
Closing out the 2017 Oscars, Faye Dunaway and Warren Beatty presented the Best Picture category, with La La Land as the frontrunner and Moonlight nipping at its heels. Ew Staff, EW.com, 1 Mar. 2025 The Panthers were able to prevent Pembroke from a clean sweep of both team championships, nipping the Titans for the girls crown by just nine points in the school standings with 69 overall. Brendan Connelly, Boston Herald, 15 Feb. 2025 Gwendoline had a goat nipping at her. Jen Chaney, Vulture, 31 Jan. 2025 When the aforementioned point about him being overly confident comes up, Rob does a good job of calmly countering it and nipping it in the bud. Tom Smyth, Vulture, 23 Jan. 2025 The design is thoughtful, with the empire waist nipping in high enough on the torso that the crotch area won’t be prone to clinging. Sarah Chiwaya, refinery29.com, 21 Jan. 2025 Vagabond quarterback Sam Darnold has kept the Vikings (10-2) nipping at the heels of the Lions all season. Jim Reineking, USA TODAY, 6 Dec. 2024 The contest had narrowed considerably in the final weeks, and polls showed Hovde nipping at Baldwin’s heels. Al Weaver, The Hill, 6 Nov. 2024 Nvidia’s stock has also been rallying for much of October, and is nipping at Apple’s heels as the current second-most valuable company by market cap. Megan Poinski, Forbes, 21 Oct. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nipping
Adjective
  • Just 15 seconds into my first treatment with the freezing helmet latched to my head and with six more hours to go, the cold was unbearable.
    Maria Yagoda, Vox, 9 May 2025
  • That is where the freezing wall of giant magnets come in, acting to both cool and restrain the unruly plasma.
    Ella Nilsen, CNN Money, 6 May 2025
Adjective
  • The feared chilling effect on consumption, if any, would be limited to imports.
    Robert Goulder, Forbes.com, 19 May 2025
  • In their Tuesday ruling, Eleventh Circuit Judges Robin Rosenbaum and Nancy Abudu agreed with the lower court’s findings that the ban was unconstitutionally vague and created a chilling effect on free speech.
    Samantha Riedel, Them., 15 May 2025
Adjective
  • Stock tip: Migrate to icier territories… Aston Villa 6/1 Last five results: WLWWW A two-goal deficit to overcome in the Champions League quarter-final return leg against Paris Saint-Germain next week likely spells the end of Villa’s European aspirations.
    Brett Koremenos, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2025
  • The relationship between Ye and Cole has been icy for some time.
    Michael Saponara, Billboard, 2 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • During chilly morning boat excursions, hot water bottles appeared on our seats.
    Regan Stephens, Travel + Leisure, 20 May 2025
  • Listen to this article A small group, most wearing light jackets in the chilly May evening, gathered in prayer outside the Indiana State Prison in Michigan City Monday night just hours before Benjamin Ritchie was executed by lethal injection.
    Alexandra Kukulka, Chicago Tribune, 20 May 2025
Verb
  • Again, this man has been holding onto so much, and things have just been compacted for him.
    Katcy Stephan, Variety, 22 Mar. 2025
  • Any incumbent party would have had trouble holding onto the White House.
    Alex Thompson, Axios, 22 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Take a look through the list, then pick your potion—and be sure to consult with your physician before swiping anything onto your delicate lash line.
    Jenny Berg, Allure, 24 Dec. 2024
  • Tinder made waves in 2012 by introducing the swiping mechanism, which has since been widely adopted.
    Samantha Murphy Kelly, CNN, 19 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • Distributors — dear friends and colleagues — lament the same familiar woes: not enough films, or too many; the best titles are overpriced; the coffee is terrible; the weather is unbearable — too hot, too cold or both.
    Martin Moszkowicz, Deadline, 17 May 2025
  • The case went cold for years but in 2022, according to a university news release, crime data analyst, Nikol Mitchell reopened the cold case while working in Utah’s Statewide Information and Analysis Center.
    Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 16 May 2025
Adjective
  • Though their everyday hangouts are chill, Beckham loves to roll out the red carpet for Milo on special occasions.
    Michelle Lee, People.com, 13 May 2025
  • And then obviously in between that, either dropping my kid off at school or picking my kid up or hanging out, going to the park or something like that in some of those gaps, but that’s a very happy day, very chill, humbling day (Laughs).
    Carly Thomas, HollywoodReporter, 4 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Nipping.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nipping. Accessed 25 May. 2025.

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