1
as in chilly
having a low or subnormal temperature
bring a jacket, as it's a little nippy outside
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in spicy
having a powerfully stimulating odor or flavor
blue cheese is a little too nippy for my taste
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in brisk
moving, proceeding, or acting with great speed
racing around the neighborhood on a nippy scooter
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in chilling
uncomfortably cool
a nippy wind that chilled parade watchers to the bone
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
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
-
The high Arctic is home to an array of breathtaking sights, unique wildlife, and remarkable terrain that can only be experienced by traveling to the chilly region, and Atlas Ocean Voyages wants to take you there in style.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
30 Oct. 2025
-
Temperatures will stay chilly over the weekend, reaching around 50 degrees on Saturday and 56 degrees on Sunday.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
30 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Tender and with just a hint of salinity, fresh hauls come in from just off the coast and are served brilliantly with salad and spicy butter.—
Jacqui Gifford,
Travel + Leisure,
31 Oct. 2025
-
Buttery and packed with spice, the Cajun compound butter really takes this turkey to the next level without being overly spicy.—
Melinda Salchert,
Southern Living,
31 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Then, on the other five days, add some spontaneous brisk walking.—
Bryant Stamford,
Louisville Courier Journal,
30 Oct. 2025
-
Francella shape-shifts in the film from international film director to street dollar-seller to billionaire, the portraits interlacing into a brisk mosaic of contemporary Argentina.—
Emiliano De Pablos,
Variety,
29 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
That especially applies to properties linked to some of the city’s most chilling murder cases.—
Chris Lau,
CNN Money,
31 Oct. 2025
-
The film provides a chilling look at what could happen if a nuclear missile were launched at the United States.—
Marcus Jones,
IndieWire,
31 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Persistent winds came first from the South then switched with even colder winds coming from the North.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Oct. 2025
-
Starting November 4 at participating Whataburger locations, customers can enjoy the new Frosted Berry Whatafresher, a frosty drink blend featuring sweet blackberry flavor, including real blueberry bursties, and a cloud of cold whip.—
Kait Hanson,
Southern Living,
28 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Best said that raw purees of garlic, onion, and ginger are spicy and pungent.—
Kathleen Ferraro,
Verywell Health,
24 Oct. 2025
-
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
Adjective
-
The rapid advances of AI and the ceaseless scheming of cybercriminals and hackers make cyber startups one of the most dynamic and innovative sectors of the tech industry, Chahal says.—
Alexei Oreskovic,
Fortune,
30 Oct. 2025
-
For all the confidence from trade negotiators in recent days and the leaders’ warm remarks as talks got underway in Busan, whether the meeting would take place at all remained an open question just days ago after a rapid escalation of frictions between the two sides.—
Betsy Klein,
CNN Money,
30 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
How To Prune Blueberry Bushes Blueberries need a number of chill hours below 45ºF during dormancy to prompt new growth and flower development for next season.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
26 Oct. 2025
-
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
Cite this Entry
“Nippy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nippy. Accessed 2 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share