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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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
Friday is when things will get nippy.
—Thomas Wheatley, Axios, 27 Nov. 2024
But despite the better performance, this car isn’t as nippy as dual motor Teslas, nor is the performance delivery so immediate.
—James Morris, Forbes, 19 Oct. 2024
See All Example Sentences for nippy
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
Friday is when things will get nippy.
—Thomas Wheatley, Axios, 27 Nov. 2024
But despite the better performance, this car isn’t as nippy as dual motor Teslas, nor is the performance delivery so immediate.
—James Morris, Forbes, 19 Oct. 2024
See All Example Sentences for nippy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nippy
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
Adjective
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Glancing around the standing-room-only party, filled with joyful hugs and happy chatter as guests drank spicy margaritas and nibbled on fries in paper cones printed with quotes from the book, a dazed Brown smiled.—
Hadley Meares,
HollywoodReporter,
24 Oct. 2025
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Best said that raw purees of garlic, onion, and ginger are spicy and pungent.—
Kathleen Ferraro,
Verywell Health,
24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Zone 2 cardio is moderate-intensity exercise—like brisk walking or cycling—done at about 60% to 70% of your max heart rate.—
Brian Mastroianni,
Health,
23 Oct. 2025
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The 12-time Academy Award nominee and the model both bundled up for brisk weather, as both Cooper and Hadid wore coats, sunglasses and Cooper capped a beanie over his head.—
Tommy McArdle,
PEOPLE,
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
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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
Adjective
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Take a break from basic vanilla and step into fall with a refreshing apple cold foam.—
Kylie Petty,
Better Homes & Gardens,
21 Oct. 2025
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Pumpkin spice beverages and apple cider are popular fall drinks that can be enjoyed warm or cold.—
Heidi Moawad,
Verywell Health,
21 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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To be going home to Sunday dinner at one o’clock, sweat socks pungent from twenty-one innings of softball, underwear athletically gamy.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
20 Oct. 2025
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Spices like cinnamon or nutmeg typically work best for sweet dishes, while cloves or other types of spice blends usually pair best with more pungent, savory ones.—
Katie Rosenhouse,
Southern Living,
18 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Earthquakes' sudden, rapid shaking can cause fires, tsunamis, landslides or avalanches.—
CA Earthquake Bot,
Sacbee.com,
22 Oct. 2025
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The rapid growth of Kalshi, which is federally regulated by the CFTC as a futures exchange, has already tested much of the legal betting status quo.—
Eben Novy-Williams,
Sportico.com,
22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Per Deadline, the show will be set in 1991, a totally chill time to be a cop in Los Angeles.—
Bethy Squires,
Vulture,
15 Oct. 2025
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That’s a $400 win for your floors and your chill time.—
Juhi Wadia,
PC Magazine,
4 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Nippy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nippy. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
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