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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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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
Thanks to a little nipping and tucking, the Nissan Altima receives an attractive facelift for 2023.
—Eric Stafford, Car and Driver, 9 June 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
Prune Your Shrubs With Regal Shears Sculpting boxwoods into bunnies, trimming your David Austin roses or nipping daisies for a pickle-jar vase?
—Andrew Nelson, WSJ, 27 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
When the aforementioned point about him being overly confident comes up, Rob does a good job of calmly countering it and nipping it in the bud.
—Tom Smyth, Vulture, 23 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
Thanks to a little nipping and tucking, the Nissan Altima receives an attractive facelift for 2023.
—Eric Stafford, Car and Driver, 9 June 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
Prune Your Shrubs With Regal Shears Sculpting boxwoods into bunnies, trimming your David Austin roses or nipping daisies for a pickle-jar vase?
—Andrew Nelson, WSJ, 27 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
When the aforementioned point about him being overly confident comes up, Rob does a good job of calmly countering it and nipping it in the bud.
—Tom Smyth, Vulture, 23 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
-
Land O'Lakes recommends freezing sticks in their original carton.—
Alana Al-Hatlani,
Southern Living,
19 June 2025
-
Deadly cold front batters South Africa The freezing conditions brought floods and snowfall across the country, killing at least seven people.—
Tom Chivers,
semafor.com,
12 June 2025
Adjective
-
Come for the carnage (R.I.P. little Alex Kintner), stay for the chilling character moments (Shaw's USS Indianapolis speech as Quint).—
Chris Nashawaty,
EW.com,
20 June 2025
-
Now, in 2025, the breach at UNFI raises a chilling question: what a biological virus could not shut down, could a cyberattack succeed in crippling?—
Emil Sayegh,
Forbes.com,
19 June 2025
Adjective
-
Stock tip: Migrate to icier territories… Aston Villa 6/1 Last five results: WLWWW A two-goal deficit to overcome in the Champions League quarter-final return leg against Paris Saint-Germain next week likely spells the end of Villa’s European aspirations.—
Brett Koremenos,
New York Times,
11 Apr. 2025
-
The relationship between Ye and Cole has been icy for some time.—
Michael Saponara,
Billboard,
2 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
While the rail cars can get pretty chilly, the train station is usually sweltering—that’s where this Spanx set comes in.—
Jessica Kasparian,
SELF,
25 June 2025
-
Outside, there’s a covered limestone dining terrace with overhead heat lamps for taking the nip off chilly nights and a lounge area for watching TV.—
Tori Latham,
Robb Report,
24 June 2025
Verb
-
Again, this man has been holding onto so much, and things have just been compacted for him.—
Katcy Stephan,
Variety,
22 Mar. 2025
-
Any incumbent party would have had trouble holding onto the White House.—
Alex Thompson,
Axios,
22 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Take a look through the list, then pick your potion—and be sure to consult with your physician before swiping anything onto your delicate lash line.—
Jenny Berg,
Allure,
24 Dec. 2024
-
Tinder made waves in 2012 by introducing the swiping mechanism, which has since been widely adopted.—
Samantha Murphy Kelly,
CNN,
19 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
And Some Ice Cream Cream City Ice Cream & Coffeehouse has more than 40 homemade flavors to choose from, plus hot and cold espresso drinks.—
Lisa Cericola,
Southern Living,
22 June 2025
-
Other ways to stay safe during the heat wave include drinking lots of water, wearing light clothing, keeping ovens and stoves shut off and cooling off with a cold bath or ice packs, officials said.—
William Tong,
Chicago Tribune,
21 June 2025
Adjective
-
While the small town of Kailua-Kona can be bustling during the summer months, the Big Island is typically chill.—
Will McGough,
Forbes.com,
17 June 2025
-
With nail trends being so chill over the last year or two—who knew nude nails would be so hot for so long?—those of us who were once confident DIYing our nail art may feel a bit out of practice these days.—
Marci Robin,
Allure,
3 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Nipping.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nipping. Accessed 5 Jul. 2025.
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