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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
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
Profanity was, apparently, nipping at Kelly Ripa's nose on Friday morning's episode of Live With Kelly and Mark.
—Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 21 Nov. 2025
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
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
Profanity was, apparently, nipping at Kelly Ripa's nose on Friday morning's episode of Live With Kelly and Mark.
—Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 21 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nipping
Adjective
-
Strawberry pots are available in various materials, but the traditional versions are made of clay, which can crack in freezing temperatures.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
7 Apr. 2026
-
These plants are better suited for cooler weather that can occur before Boise experiences its final freezing temperatures of the year.—
McClatchy,
Idaho Statesman,
5 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
As a chilling rain started to fall, the group marched to the memorial for Renee Good, the mother shot to death in her vehicle by an ICE agent.—
Jeff Wagner,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Despite this exemption, the bill is sure to have a chilling effect on health care, Ziegler said.—
SOPHIA PAFFENROTH,
ABC News,
2 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.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
7 Apr. 2026
-
Show off naturally curly hair without as much maintenance by shaving the sides with a close, short cut.—
Mary Shannon Wells,
Southern Living,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Gerdes recommends pinching plants back once in a while to increase branching.—
Miranda Crowell,
Better Homes & Gardens,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Say goodbye to tight, pinching waistbands with Aeropostale's low-rise baggy jeans.—
Emily Weaver,
PEOPLE,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Melrose, Massachusetts attorney Henry Rappa is accused of stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars from a couple who hired him to handle a major family inheritance.—
Mike Sullivan,
CBS News,
8 Apr. 2026
-
His exasperated wife, Lili, gets a classic Lucy Punch-up from the veteran scene-stealing British actress (Jingle Bell Heist).—
Sarah Rodman,
Entertainment Weekly,
7 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
-
Tuesday’s game was moved from the evening to the afternoon in anticipation of cold temperatures.—
LaMond Pope,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Apr. 2026
-
Chu attributed the slower activity in early 2026 to high interest rates and an unusually cold winter, which kept many prospective buyers away from open houses in January and February.—
Chase Jordan
April 7,
Charlotte Observer,
7 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Some parts of the nation are in for a chilly few days, but soon nearly everywhere will feel like spring — or summer.—
Doyle Rice,
USA Today,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Hours later, those fans sat bundled up in rainy, chilly conditions as a power outage hit parts of downtown Minneapolis, affecting Target Field.—
Betsy Helfand,
Twin Cities,
3 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nipping.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nipping. Accessed 9 Apr. 2026.
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