1
as in trimming
to make (something) shorter or smaller with the use of a cutting instrument
a mother who's sad to see her little boy's curls clipped for the first time
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in hitting
to deliver a blow to (someone or something) usually in a strong vigorous manner
the pitch clipped the batter's helmet with enough force to knock it clean off his head
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 clipping
June 4, CBS News, 4 June 2025
That’s right: Even flight attendants don’t want to touch them after seeing passengers use them to clean up spills, wipe their noses, and catch toenail clippings.
—Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 30 Apr. 2025
Tricia Manzanero Stuedeman, Southern Living, 10 Dec. 2024
To maximize flowering, prune late blooming clematis hard in February by clipping vines back to the lowest set of flower buds.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for clipping
Verb
During his service, McCook received the Air Medal and the Distinguished Flying Cross, according to newspaper clippings.
—June 4, CBS News, 4 June 2025
That’s right: Even flight attendants don’t want to touch them after seeing passengers use them to clean up spills, wipe their noses, and catch toenail clippings.
—Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 30 Apr. 2025
Noun
Bag up thicker icing in a variety of shades, clipping or tying the back of the piping bags to seal, then create bags of thinner icing in a variety of colors.
—Tricia Manzanero Stuedeman, Southern Living, 10 Dec. 2024
To maximize flowering, prune late blooming clematis hard in February by clipping vines back to the lowest set of flower buds.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for clipping
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clipping
Verb
-
Fuel and medicine will last weeks longer before hitting zero.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
31 Mar. 2025
-
Tire tread depth - Checking your tire tread before hitting the road is important, as low or no tread can lead to sliding.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
31 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
The shower also now features a toe ledge for shaving, as well as custom niches that were specially built to accommodate the owners’ shower products.—
Lennie Omalza,
The Courier-Journal,
2 July 2025
-
Libby recommends focusing on proper shaving technique.—
Audrey Noble,
Vogue,
1 July 2025
Verb
-
The couple can be seen having a blast as Hart took the clippers and started trimming Wilkerson's beard in various ways, eventually splitting it into three long strands.—
Gil Macias,
People.com,
6 Jan. 2025
-
Melissa Joan Hart is showing off her impressive beard-trimming skills!—
Gil Macias,
People.com,
6 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
If there’s a sliver of doubt or faulty prosecutorial strategy, it will be perceived as an agenda to railroad a Black man.—
Andre Gee,
Rolling Stone,
3 July 2025
-
There is a sliver of hope: The rainforests that currently carpet the tropics may be more resilient to high temperatures than those that existed before the Great Dying.—
Laura Paddison,
CNN Money,
2 July 2025
Verb
-
The group in the other vehicle surround Martinez between the two vehicles, with two people repeatedly punching her while a third person pulls her legs, taking her to the ground.—
Nathan Solis,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Dec. 2024
-
According to Hallman, Forrest-Stitt responded by allegedly assaulting him, punching him in the chest, hitting his mouth, and causing injuries, including a busted lip and a painful bicep injury.—
Gordon G. Chang,
Newsweek,
11 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
Episodes are often framed by Sarah Jessica Parker’s voiceover, in a callback to SATC’s quippy narration, reading snippets of the novel that mirror her character’s own life.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
11 July 2025
-
People would be watching a regular movie and not realize that snippets of messages had been inserted into the film, flashing by at a rate so fast that the conscious perception cannot readily distinguish them.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
6 July 2025
Noun
-
There were a few blowdowns and freshly busted logs, their splinters cast across the trail like confetti.—
Grayson Haver Currin,
Outside Online,
20 June 2025
-
Fragmentation splinters data, so even simple tasks drag.—
Miguel Kudry,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2025
Noun
-
Use a sharp paring knife to cut 4 slits in the top crust for steam to escape.—
Stephanie Ganz,
Southern Living,
7 July 2025
-
Using a sharp paring knife, start at the head end, and slice lengthwise along the back about three-fourths of the way through (do not cut all the way through), following the natural groove.—
Sabrina Weiss,
People.com,
4 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Clipping.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clipping. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share