as in shaving
to make (something) shorter or smaller with the use of a cutting instrument
snipped the loose ends
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of snipping
Cut individual stems as needed, snipping above a leaf node to encourage continued growth.
—
Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 18 Jan. 2026
Prune it by snipping off the dead stems in spring.
—Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 Dec. 2025
The nightingale tossed the worm in the air, snipping it in two with her beak and crushing its gummy, writhing halves against a flat rock.
—Hazlitt, 19 Nov. 2025
In the video, Sweeney goes from dirty blonde, with Oropeza methodically snipping the ends of her chin-length hair, to an icy, bright blonde.
—Kimi Robinson, USA Today, 27 Oct. 2025
White House aides are snipping at Republican colleagues on the Hill that this is on them to sort out.
—Phil Elliott, Time, 8 Oct. 2025
An artist and aspiring beautician From the age of three, Traelynn was painting and snipping her own hair, sparking her love for cosmotology, her mother said.
—Kansas City Star, 14 Aug. 2025
Ruiz Avalos, 28, started snipping away but kept a close eye on her customer.
—Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 2 Aug. 2025
Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 18 Jan. 2026
Prune it by snipping off the dead stems in spring.
—Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 Dec. 2025
The nightingale tossed the worm in the air, snipping it in two with her beak and crushing its gummy, writhing halves against a flat rock.
—Hazlitt, 19 Nov. 2025
In the video, Sweeney goes from dirty blonde, with Oropeza methodically snipping the ends of her chin-length hair, to an icy, bright blonde.
—Kimi Robinson, USA Today, 27 Oct. 2025
White House aides are snipping at Republican colleagues on the Hill that this is on them to sort out.
—Phil Elliott, Time, 8 Oct. 2025
An artist and aspiring beautician From the age of three, Traelynn was painting and snipping her own hair, sparking her love for cosmotology, her mother said.
—Kansas City Star, 14 Aug. 2025
Ruiz Avalos, 28, started snipping away but kept a close eye on her customer.
—Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 2 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for snipping
Verb
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There wasn’t even a full question asked about the secret project using computer technology aimed at shaving fractions of a second off speedskating times to help the Americans bring home gold medals from the Milan Cortina Olympics.—
Howard Fendrich,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Feb. 2026
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Some of the same men involved in the NBA case were also indicted earlier this month in what federal prosecutors in Pennsylvania say was a college basketball point-shaving ring.—
Mike Vorkunov,
New York Times,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
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On one sequence Harding made a perfect bounce pass to a cutting Edmonds, who dunked over a West Virginia defender.—
Steven Johnson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
22 Feb. 2026
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Go easy on the buffing Some people also like to buff their nails after cutting, and a light buff can promote healthy growth and increase shine.—
Andee Tagle,
NPR,
21 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Rather than trimming the beans individually, do it in batches.—
Riley Wofford,
Martha Stewart,
21 Feb. 2026
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Often the hedge is full enough with healthy limbs to grow shoots that fill voids left from trimming.—
Tom MacCubbin,
The Orlando Sentinel,
21 Feb. 2026
Verb
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As tariffs provoke backlash and global trade uncertainty, markets for Texas exports have been curtailed, clipping the wings of our economy.—
Eleanor Dearman,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 Feb. 2026
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Mulching grass clipping and leaves through your mower will return organic matter to your lawn.—
Chris McKeown,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
14 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Snipping.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/snipping. Accessed 24 Feb. 2026.
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