1
as in freezing
having a low or subnormal temperature
a group of campers waking up to the nipping air of a Rocky Mountain morning
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in chilling
uncomfortably cool
better wear a windbreaker if you're going sailing in this nipping wind
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
3
as in stealing
to take (something) without right and with an intent to keep
that guy nipped my wallet from the restaurant table when I turned away
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4
as in hurrying
to proceed or move quickly
I'll just nip off to the corner store for some milk
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of nipping
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
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
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
Stan Awtrey, AJC.com, 13 Apr. 2026
Tired of the nipping Chihuahuas’ defense against him, Jokic let the official have it early on, getting a technical.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 25 Mar. 2026
After all, new talents are constantly emerging and during their hiatus have begun nipping at their heels.
—Kati Chitrakorn, CNN Money, 21 Mar. 2026
Paradise kept nipping at the heels of Westwood, but never trailed by more than 9 points in the contest.
—Darren Lauber, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Mar. 2026
Where the sharpness and definition can fade as viewers pull back projectors for super large screenings, AWOL Vision hit CES 2026 with a new model aimed at nipping that in the bud.
—New Atlas, 10 Feb. 2026
Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another, the film previously believed to be this year’s best-picture front-runner, is nipping at Sinners’ heels with 13 nominations of its own.
—Hillary Busis, Vanity Fair, 22 Jan. 2026
Be right back, just nipping to the hospital to ask about these hives.
—Jack Lang, New York Times, 22 Jan. 2026
Easy pants, like good denim via La Ligne or a pair of sheer, flowing dark blue skirt-pants from Paloma Wool, have proven themselves trusty for nipping across the city—comfy and covered.
—Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 14 Jan. 2026
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
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
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
But with the best players in the world nipping at his Nikes, McIlroy proved otherwise.
—Stan Awtrey, AJC.com, 13 Apr. 2026
Tired of the nipping Chihuahuas’ defense against him, Jokic let the official have it early on, getting a technical.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 25 Mar. 2026
After all, new talents are constantly emerging and during their hiatus have begun nipping at their heels.
—Kati Chitrakorn, CNN Money, 21 Mar. 2026
Paradise kept nipping at the heels of Westwood, but never trailed by more than 9 points in the contest.
—Darren Lauber, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Mar. 2026
Where the sharpness and definition can fade as viewers pull back projectors for super large screenings, AWOL Vision hit CES 2026 with a new model aimed at nipping that in the bud.
—New Atlas, 10 Feb. 2026
Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another, the film previously believed to be this year’s best-picture front-runner, is nipping at Sinners’ heels with 13 nominations of its own.
—Hillary Busis, Vanity Fair, 22 Jan. 2026
Be right back, just nipping to the hospital to ask about these hives.
—Jack Lang, New York Times, 22 Jan. 2026
Easy pants, like good denim via La Ligne or a pair of sheer, flowing dark blue skirt-pants from Paloma Wool, have proven themselves trusty for nipping across the city—comfy and covered.
—Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 14 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nipping
Adjective
-
Sub-freezing temperatures as low as 23 degrees are expected.—
Stacey DuFord,
CBS News,
19 Apr. 2026
-
Just five hours of sub-freezing temperatures is enough to take out crops.—
Vanessa Yurkevich,
CNN Money,
17 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
To think that the fate of the world might be decided over vodka sodas, scored to a Kim Petras song, is…chilling to say the least.—
Sam Stone,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Such implications could have a chilling effect on the reporting of such crimes by partners and spouses locked into messy and tumultuous relationships.—
Sal Rodriguez,
Oc Register,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
With the war in Iran sending oil prices soaring, consumers under even more economic pressure may not be lured back by PepsiCo shaving less than a dollar off a snack bag.—
Wire TBD,
Dallas Morning News,
8 Apr. 2026
-
With the war in Iran sending oil prices soaring, consumers under even more economic pressure may not be lured back by PepsiCo shaving less than a dollar off a snack bag.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
First, a mathematical operation known as the Schur pinching channel reorganizes the system into a simpler, diagonal form—something closer to classical data that is easier to handle.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
19 Apr. 2026
-
The spandex-blend material is ultra-stretchy, and there’s no unpleasant digging or pinching courtesy of the zipper- and button-free design.—
Izzy Baskette,
PEOPLE,
18 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The Atlanta Hawks and Minnesota Timberwolves both bounced back by stealing Game 2 on the road in their respective series.—
Geoff Clark OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
21 Apr. 2026
-
In November, the Justice Department charged the Florida Democrat with stealing $5 million in Federal Emergency Management Agency funds for her campaign.—
Caitlin Yilek,
CBS News,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
No point hurrying toward a resolution that was always receding.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Instead of hurrying to break up tents and scatter RVs, Lee and Oakland’s interim homelessness chief Sasha Hauswald want city workers to focus on minimizing trash and human waste around encampments.—
Grant Stringer,
Mercury News,
15 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Garlic is a slow-growing and cold-hardy plant that’s usually planted in garden beds in autumn, long after the rest of the garden has been put to bed for the year.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
21 Apr. 2026
-
After nearly five decades in space, engineers have had to steadily power down heaters and instruments while making sure the spacecraft do not get so cold that key systems, including fuel lines, are put at risk.—
Eric Mack,
FOXNews.com,
21 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Sunday showers followed by a shot of chilly weather early next week may bring the region patchy areas of frost.—
Steven Sosna,
CBS News,
17 Apr. 2026
-
As the weather warms, spring’s mornings and evenings are still chilly, which is why this leather jacket is a staple worth adding to your closet.—
Jacqueline Tempera,
PEOPLE,
16 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nipping.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nipping. Accessed 23 Apr. 2026.
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