1
as in chilly
having a low or subnormal temperature
bring a jacket, as it's a little nippy outside
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in spicy
having a powerfully stimulating odor or flavor
blue cheese is a little too nippy for my taste
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3
as in brisk
moving, proceeding, or acting with great speed
racing around the neighborhood on a nippy scooter
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4
as in chilling
uncomfortably cool
a nippy wind that chilled parade watchers to the bone
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of nippy
Oscar Ortiz was particularly nippy down the left, Bertoni was highly energetic down the right, and Leopoldo Luque was a good foil for Kempes, scoring a spectacular long-range strike against France.
—
Michael Cox, New York Times, 5 Oct. 2025
The Lost Valley is home to a simulated dinosaur chase through a jungle as well as a nippy roller coaster which heads out into the desert.
—Caroline Reid, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Despite the nippy wind by the lake, Montrose Beach had a busy Sunday: families gathered on picnic blankets to celebrate Mother’s Day, and seagulls, killdeer and red-winged blackbirds scoured for food among the waves that washed ashore.
—Adriana Pérez, Chicago Tribune, 12 May 2025
With it, there’s no need to haul up a turtleneck or coat collar in the nippy wind or rain.
—Alexandra Pereira, Travel + Leisure, 9 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for nippy
Michael Cox, New York Times, 5 Oct. 2025
The Lost Valley is home to a simulated dinosaur chase through a jungle as well as a nippy roller coaster which heads out into the desert.
—Caroline Reid, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Despite the nippy wind by the lake, Montrose Beach had a busy Sunday: families gathered on picnic blankets to celebrate Mother’s Day, and seagulls, killdeer and red-winged blackbirds scoured for food among the waves that washed ashore.
—Adriana Pérez, Chicago Tribune, 12 May 2025
With it, there’s no need to haul up a turtleneck or coat collar in the nippy wind or rain.
—Alexandra Pereira, Travel + Leisure, 9 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for nippy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nippy
Adjective
-
The long hemline covers the lower back for most wearers, sealing out drafts on chilly planes.—
Sian Babish,
PEOPLE,
29 May 2026
-
While their caps and gowns for the 1,160 seniors who were eligible to graduate kept out some of the chilly air, their family members in the stands were fired up with applause and cheers for students.—
Holly Andres,
Daily News,
29 May 2026
Adjective
-
The dinner menu spotlights the local bounty and skews Mediterranean with standouts such as the laffa (a chewier pita) with baba ganoush or a spicy carrot harissa dip and lamb sliders with mango jam and shallot pickle.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
-
Draped over crisp salmon like in this rice bowl (mole instead of spicy mayo; radishes instead of cucs); this is a form of recipe development, sewing together patches into a colorful quilt.—
Emma Laperruque,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
1 June 2026
Adjective
-
Alternatively, if exercising within four hours of bedtime, opt for short-duration, light-to-moderate-intensity exercises, such as brisk walking, or slow jogging for 30 minutes.—
Colleen Doherty,
Verywell Health,
27 May 2026
-
Given the brisk start then, is there still hope that the best is yet to come?—
Randy Myers,
Mercury News,
23 May 2026
Adjective
-
In a chilling sequence, Dennis ties a garbage bag over Mallory’s head and drags her into the woods.—
Erin Qualey,
Vulture,
29 May 2026
-
Bobb believes the dogmatic way lawmakers talk about civics has had a chilling effect.—
Karissa Waddick,
USA Today,
29 May 2026
Adjective
-
The attentive staff carries complimentary sunscreen, cold towels, and mango juice shots straight to your lounge chair.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
-
At this point, the coffee that remains in their cups has gone cold, and our time is almost up.—
Maya Georgi,
Rolling Stone,
2 June 2026
Adjective
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Fans, and perhaps everyone else at this point, might recall that Charli was also absent from the cover of brat, which consisted of the word in black lettering over a pungent green background.—
José Criales-Unzueta,
Vanity Fair,
1 June 2026
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Its pungent aroma and sulfur compounds can deter common garden pests, such as sap-sucking aphids and fungus gnats.—
Madeline Buiano,
Martha Stewart,
29 May 2026
Adjective
-
According to the health ministry, the main challenges in containing the outbreak include early detection and rapid isolation of cases, rigorous contact tracing, safe and dignified burials and strengthening infection prevention and control in health facilities.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
1 June 2026
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Having scored for fun at youth level, his rise was rapid.—
Tim Spiers,
New York Times,
1 June 2026
Adjective
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Non-chill filtration adds a slightly oily, layered mouthfeel that carries both sweetness and spice.—
Joseph V Micallef,
Forbes.com,
24 May 2026
-
This whiskey was made from the same mashbill, aged for a full decade, and bottled at 100 proof without chill filtration to preserve maximum flavor.—
Jonah Flicker,
Robb Report,
22 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nippy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nippy. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
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