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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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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
Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 6 Oct. 2025
The Yankees were nipping at the Blue Jays' heels throughout the month of September.
—Jon Paul Hoornstra, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025
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
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
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
Legette’s catch started an extraordinary Panthers comeback that ended with Carolina nipping Miami, 27-24, in front of the home crowd at Bank of America Stadium.
—Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 6 Oct. 2025
The Yankees were nipping at the Blue Jays' heels throughout the month of September.
—Jon Paul Hoornstra, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nipping
Adjective
-
Depending on the thickness setting, the machine will take anywhere from 15 minutes to a little over an hour to finish a freezing cycle.—
Wilder Davies,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
7 Oct. 2025
-
Inland areas of central and western Upper Michigan could see sub-freezing temperatures as low as 28, according to the agency.—
Joe Edwards,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
With glowing eyes, a chilling Vincent Price-style voice (delivering deliciously cheesy dialogue), and four points of ghostly animatronic movement, this bony specter is every bit the haunted showstopper.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
3 Oct. 2025
-
The 1960 movie — powered by Bernard Herrmann's chilling score, Anthony Perkins' unnerving portrayal of hotel manager Norman Bates (for the movie, much younger than the character in Bloch's novel) and Hitchcock's uncanny showmanship — revolutionized the horror genre.—
JR Radcliffe,
jsonline.com,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Thankfully, a shelter volunteer, Nikki Miller, took up Chase’s cause, giving him a bath, trimming his nails and shaving his fur to get him back to looking his best again.—
Jack Beresford,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Sep. 2025
-
However, the thawing of Russia’s northern coastline has opened a lane for vessels, shaving almost three weeks off shipping times compared to the journey around the Cape of Good Hope.—
Jeronimo Gonzalez,
semafor.com,
24 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Pruning Young chocolate cosmos plants benefit from pinching back early the growing season.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
3 Oct. 2025
-
Bring edges of dough over apple mixture; shape into a ball, pinching and tucking dough edges to seal.—
Katlyn Moncada,
Better Homes & Gardens,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
What he’s actually done is fake his death to create a template for a new life by stealing $90 million from a client of his crooked law firm.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
3 Oct. 2025
-
One man was arrested and accused of stealing a golf cart.—
Bob Harkins,
New York Times,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Pedestrians are hurrying past to find their places on Fifth Avenue, but the girls have a different kind of readiness about them.—
Rebecca Mead,
New Yorker,
5 Oct. 2025
-
That's why Amazon shoppers are hurrying to grab a soft and fluffy comforter for fall.—
Melody Kazel,
PEOPLE,
25 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The icy landscape of the Arctic has transformed much faster than expected, as humans burn fossil fuels and heat the planet.—
Laura Paddison,
CNN Money,
3 Oct. 2025
-
The probe, which launched in 1997, spent years studying Saturn's icy moons before it was deliberately plunged into Saturn in 2017, ending its mission.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
This tan cardigan is lightweight enough for transitional weather but still provides just the right amount of warmth for chilly flights.—
Rosie Marder,
Travel + Leisure,
30 Sep. 2025
-
These range from cropped flannel hoodies that place style over substance to longer versions that offer greater protection in chilly weather.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
30 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Nipping.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nipping. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.
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