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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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
That from a man small in stature but nippy and tenacious, not to mention technically gifted—these characteristics have kept him at the top level in Spain.
—Henry Flynn, Forbes, 30 Sep. 2024
Last night, Selena Gomez combated the nippy New York City weather with the outerwear trend du jour: the bathrobe.
—Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 27 Mar. 2025
Mexico City generally has pretty balmy weather year-round, but temperatures can get a little nippy in the winter.
—Taylor McIntyre, Travel + Leisure, 15 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for nippy
James Morris, Forbes, 19 Oct. 2024
That from a man small in stature but nippy and tenacious, not to mention technically gifted—these characteristics have kept him at the top level in Spain.
—Henry Flynn, Forbes, 30 Sep. 2024
Last night, Selena Gomez combated the nippy New York City weather with the outerwear trend du jour: the bathrobe.
—Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 27 Mar. 2025
Mexico City generally has pretty balmy weather year-round, but temperatures can get a little nippy in the winter.
—Taylor McIntyre, Travel + Leisure, 15 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for nippy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nippy
Adjective
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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
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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
Adjective
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Manchester City, Chelsea and Liverpool across seven days from the end of November looks particularly spicy.—
Beren Cross,
New York Times,
18 June 2025
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The health benefits of spicy food could not have been further from my mind.—
Matt Fuchs,
Time,
17 June 2025
Adjective
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Luis Costa, global head of EM sovereign credit at Citigroup Global Markets, signaled the muted reaction could be, in part, attributed to hopes of a brisk resolution to the conflict.—
Ruxandra Iordache,Kevin Breuninger,
CNBC,
16 June 2025
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Related article Prevent low back pain with this simple lifestyle change The findings showed that as the amount of daily walking increased, the risk of chronic low back pain decreased, and preliminary evidence revealed moderate or brisk walking was more protective than a slow pace, Pocovi said.—
Madeline Holcombe,
CNN Money,
13 June 2025
Adjective
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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
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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
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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
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Tooth sensitivity, also known as dentin hypersensitivity, causes tooth pain in response to heat, cold, air flow, or light touch.—
Mark Gurarie,
Health,
21 June 2025
Adjective
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In a different context, the same pungent word applied to his devastating 2 a.m. strike on Iranian nuclear facilities.—
Rich Lowry,
National Review,
23 June 2025
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That goes for bars of pungent soap, essential oils, sonic repellant devices, and hanging up pennies in bags of water, a favorite Internet myth.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
18 June 2025
Adjective
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Last year, there were 34 incidents of rapid intensification -- when a storm gains at least 35 mph in 24 hours -- which is about twice the average and causes forecasting problems, according to the hurricane center.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
21 June 2025
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New Mexico's Governor Responds A federal emergency declaration was issued by New Mexico's governor on June 17 in response to the Trout Fire's rapid advance.—
Melissa Fleur Afshar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
20 June 2025
Adjective
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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
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Compared to the other breakups in the house, Ciara and West are almost chill.—
Bethy Squires,
Vulture,
30 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Nippy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nippy. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.
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