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
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
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
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
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
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
-
The set comes with six lights that are built to withstand year-round weather conditions, including rain and freezing temperatures.—
Maggie Horton,
PEOPLE,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Frost is likely for most places with temperatures in the low to mid 30s, and even some freezing temperatures up north.—
Joe Edwards,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Wan’s eye for spooky set pieces is even sharper here; The Conjuring 2 boasts the most chilling scene in the franchise.—
Emily Palmer Heller,
Vulture,
5 Sep. 2025
-
Over time, exposure to the elements has left the dolls dirty and worn, with peeling paint on their faces, tattered clothing, missing eyes, and no hair, creating a chilling and eerie atmosphere.—
Natalia Cano,
Billboard,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
At the same time, the Congressional Budget Office sees tariffs shaving trillions of dollars off the deficit.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
25 Aug. 2025
-
When a trompo taco is ordered, a cook brandishes a knife of ferocious sharpness, shaving a thin, broad piece large enough to overhang the corn tortilla it’s laid upon.—
Helen Rosner,
New Yorker,
24 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Otherwise, the Galaxy Watch 8 has Samsung’s One UI 8 interface on top of Wear OS 6 to put its own spin on interacting with your watch, with support for gesture controls to dismiss an alarm by twisting your wrist or take a picture by double-pinching your fingers.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
24 Aug. 2025
-
Hypernova will ship bundled with an sEMG wristband, codenamed Ceres, that reads muscle signals in the wrist to enable discreet gesture controls such as pinching.—
Charlie Fink,
Forbes.com,
22 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
The core of the game is stealing characters from other gamers.—
Annabelle Canela,
Parents,
5 Sep. 2025
-
From her start as a Fly Girl on the sketch comedy program In Living Color in the early ’90s to stealing scenes in Selena and The Wedding Planner, then topping charts with her debut album On the 6.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Before the new regulations, says Annie Inglis, Marine Biology Presenter with Quark, the expedition crew would be hurrying to get guests in Zodiacs to try to get closer to a bear sighting like this.—
Cassidy Randall,
Forbes.com,
14 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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From island flavors at the Caribbean Beach Resort to the splash zones of Typhoon Lagoon and the icy adventures at Blizzard Beach, there’s still plenty of time to soak up every last drop of the summer.—
Martie Bowser,
Miami Herald,
5 Sep. 2025
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From sweltering summer afternoons to rainy days and icy winters, there are plenty of times when heading outside just isn’t an option.—
Kelsey Monstrola,
USA Today,
5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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In order to combat a chilly plane ride, a warm airport, and the crisp fall air upon arrival, light layers are essential.—
Rachel Trujillo,
Travel + Leisure,
11 Sep. 2025
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The blazer is also lined, which comes in handy on chilly evenings.—
Izzy Baskette,
People.com,
11 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Nipping.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nipping. Accessed 13 Sep. 2025.
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