1
as in spice
the quality or state of being stimulating to the mind or senses
the barbecue sauce has a nip to it that balances out the sweetness
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in shred
a very small amount
I'll have just a nip of your sandwich
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in chill
an uncomfortable degree of coolness
there's a nip in the air today
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to shave
to make (something) shorter or smaller with the use of a cutting instrument
I'm just going to nip these hedges, and then I'll be done with the work outside
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
3
as in to steal
to take (something) without right and with an intent to keep
that guy nipped my wallet from the restaurant table when I turned away
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to hurry
to proceed or move quickly
I'll just nip off to the corner store for some milk
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of nip
Ron Estes, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2025
The affection can build up and lead to a slight nip at each other.
—Ron Estes, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2025
Jaclyn Diaz, NPR, 29 Apr. 2025
Because intriguing depth like Brown will be nipping at their heels.
—Alec Lewis, New York Times, 1 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for nip
Noun
The affection can build up and lead to a slight nip at each other.
—Ron Estes, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2025
The affection can build up and lead to a slight nip at each other.
—Ron Estes, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2025
Verb
In his opening statements last Monday, David Dahlquist, the acting deputy director of the DOJ's antitrust civil litigation division, argued that the court should consider remedies that could nip a potential Google AI monopoly in the bud.
—Jaclyn Diaz, NPR, 29 Apr. 2025
Because intriguing depth like Brown will be nipping at their heels.
—Alec Lewis, New York Times, 1 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for nip
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nip
Verb
-
Inside the prison, they were forced to kneel as their heads were shaved by guards.—
Nidia Cavazos,
CBS News,
23 May 2025
-
Fred’s highlight this season has been shaving his beard.—
Stephanie Bunbury,
Deadline,
23 May 2025
Verb
-
Taylor watched the game from the dugout until the ninth inning when he was summoned to pinch run and play left field.—
Brendan Kuty,
New York Times,
29 May 2025
-
For larger seedlings like beans, some gardeners just use their fingernails to pinch off the stems.—
Viveka Neveln,
Better Homes & Gardens,
25 May 2025
Verb
-
Sophomore infielder Luke Nixon was responsible for half of them, stealing 14 in 16 attempts.—
Mitch Light,
New York Times,
29 May 2025
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In other words: just like in commerce, the real cost of a breach isn’t just what’s stolen.—
Alexander Puutio,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2025
Verb
-
Snag a pair before the sale ends on May 26 at 8 a.m. Eastern, and hurry, because popular styles and sizes are sure to fly off the (virtual) shelves.—
Nicol Natale,
People.com,
23 May 2025
-
Aunt Phoebe hurries the girls home — to their residences and to the Red Center — before any cloak-red blood gets spilled.—
Amanda Whiting,
Vulture,
13 May 2025
Verb
-
Republican bill cuts Medicaid for unemployed, undocumented children, Planned Parenthood How much do Americans rely on programs like Medicaid and Social Security?—
Riley Beggin,
USA Today,
23 May 2025
-
During that same period, the company cut 3,000 jobs.—
Lindsay Owens,
Time,
22 May 2025
Verb
-
The Tribune is not identifying the other three candidates as the interviews are still in progress and some currently hold positions elsewhere.—
Nell Salzman,
Chicago Tribune,
28 May 2025
-
Other Watch Auctions As a point of reference, the Geneva Watch Auction: XXI, held May 10 and 11 in Switzerland, was a distinguished event with 188 lots sold, totaling $52,196,552.—
Nancy Olson,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2025
Verb
-
Cloud sized up the young star, reached in and swiped the ball away as time expired.—
Fiifi Frimpong,
New York Daily News,
24 May 2025
-
In that game, Haliburton scored 31 points on 12-of-23 shooting from the floor and 3-of-4 shooting from the foul line, dished out 11 assists, grabbed four rebounds, and swiped a steal.—
Alex Kirschenbaum,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 May 2025
Verb
-
Questions rushed through my head: What are my clothes going to look like?—
Newsweek Staff,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 May 2025
-
Medics rushed Ellis to Jamaica Hospital but he could not be saved.—
Thomas Tracy,
New York Daily News,
30 May 2025
Video
'Nip it in the butt' or 'Nip it in the bud'?
We're gonna stop you right there
Cite this Entry
“Nip.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nip. Accessed 3 Jun. 2025.
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