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
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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
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
Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 26 Oct. 2025
The Washington Commanders are also nipping at the Cowboys' heels with a 3-4 record.
—James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025
Deadline has Black Phone 2 estimated to make $12 million this weekend with Chainsaw Man nipping at its heels at between $11 million and $14 million across 3,000 theaters.
—Eric Vilas-Boas, Vulture, 24 Oct. 2025
And a fierce competitor is nipping at the agency’s heels.
—Jackie Wattles, CNN Money, 12 Oct. 2025
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
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
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
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
Political forecasters give the GOP a better shot in New Jersey, where their nominee, former Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli, is nipping away at Sherrill's lead in the polls.
—Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 26 Oct. 2025
The Washington Commanders are also nipping at the Cowboys' heels with a 3-4 record.
—James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025
Deadline has Black Phone 2 estimated to make $12 million this weekend with Chainsaw Man nipping at its heels at between $11 million and $14 million across 3,000 theaters.
—Eric Vilas-Boas, Vulture, 24 Oct. 2025
And a fierce competitor is nipping at the agency’s heels.
—Jackie Wattles, CNN Money, 12 Oct. 2025
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
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nipping
Adjective
-
These tender plants can’t survive freezing temperatures, so they are often grown as annuals in areas with cold winters.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
23 Oct. 2025
-
Prepare for the freezing weather All residents in counties included on the freeze warning should take precautions to ensure people, pets, plants and pipes are not impacted by the cold.—
Katie Wiseman,
IndyStar,
23 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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This ruling is a chilling step toward unchecked government overreach, intruding on the most personal aspects of our private lives.—
Mandy Taheri,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Oct. 2025
-
After the series premiered on Netflix in October 2025, viewers were left wondering just how much of its chilling story was real.—
Emily Blackwood,
PEOPLE,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Boston College men's basketball point-shaving scandal One of the clearest examples of La Cosa Nostra's reach in sports was the 1978-79 scandal involving Boston College and two associates of the Lucchese crime family.—
Paulina Dedaj,
FOXNews.com,
24 Oct. 2025
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Access to Chatswood has just been made easier by the 60 billion Australian dollar, or $39 billion, Sydney Metro project, with the new Chatswood to Sydenham line opening a year ago, making the trip between Sydney’s CBD and Chatswood now just 11 minutes, shaving almost two thirds off the road trip.—
Patty Huntington,
Footwear News,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
While there have been many fine adaptations of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, Alastair Sim's performance as the miserly, penny-pinching Ebenezer Scrooge elevates this version to must-see status.—
Steven Thrash,
Entertainment Weekly,
25 Oct. 2025
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The high elastic waistband flatteringly cinches without pinching, according to one shopper, and the baggy wide-leg design gives your legs room to move through long airport lines and eight-hour workdays.—
Chaise Sanders,
Travel + Leisure,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Their double life soon gets complicated when a rival boy band harboring a sinister secret begins stealing their fans.—
Ingrid Vasquez,
PEOPLE,
25 Oct. 2025
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And the scam compounds in Cambodia continue to operate, stealing money from victims including US citizens.—
Helen Regan,
CNN Money,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
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In the footage, the children could be seen hurrying off the bus and onto the woman’s porch as the smoke grew.—
Kimberlee Speakman,
PEOPLE,
23 Oct. 2025
-
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
Adjective
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The combination of snow and strong winds is expected to reduce visibility, create slick and icy roads—particularly on bridges and overpasses—and potentially down trees or branches.—
Martha McHardy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Oct. 2025
-
The composite image shows the nucleus or icy, rocky central core of 3I/ATLAS as a large and black dot, along with a white glow — the comet's coma, or atmosphere.—
Elizabeth Howell,
Space.com,
24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Another, who was familiar with Graeter’s commented that the creamery could do no wrong and suggested hot caramel to create the ultimate fall dessert for sitting by a fire on a chilly night.—
Tara Massouleh McCay,
Southern Living,
23 Oct. 2025
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Thurday and Friday are going to be chilly days with lows dipping into the 30s and freeze warning and a frost advisory in place in Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky.—
Cheryl Vari,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
23 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Nipping.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nipping. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
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