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
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of nip
Thom Harris, New York Times, 7 Mar. 2026
Massachusetts allows the ban of nips on a town-by-town basis, but only a few places have taken advantage of this.
—Sasha Allen, Hartford Courant, 1 Mar. 2026
Kati Chitrakorn, CNN Money, 21 Mar. 2026
But the teacher nips the conversation in the bud, redirecting everyone’s attention to the lesson of the day.
—Boaz Dvir, The Conversation, 14 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for nip
Noun
By the time George Dobson’s delivery reaches the six-yard box, Cleworth has broken free and nips in front of a flat-footed zonal defender, rising highest to guide the ball past the goalkeeper.
—Thom Harris, New York Times, 7 Mar. 2026
Massachusetts allows the ban of nips on a town-by-town basis, but only a few places have taken advantage of this.
—Sasha Allen, Hartford Courant, 1 Mar. 2026
Verb
After all, new talents are constantly emerging and during their hiatus have begun nipping at their heels.
—Kati Chitrakorn, CNN Money, 21 Mar. 2026
But the teacher nips the conversation in the bud, redirecting everyone’s attention to the lesson of the day.
—Boaz Dvir, The Conversation, 14 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for nip
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nip
Verb
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Reiner, with his head shaved and a scruffy goatee, wore a yellow prison top with blue prison pants.—
Bryan Alexander,
USA Today,
29 Apr. 2026
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Based on the physical locations of Burlington’s stores and vendors near the distribution center, the company expects to shave some freight costs relative to sales, said Kristin Wolfe, chief financial officer of Burlington Stores, during an earnings call on March 5.—
Glenn Taylor,
Footwear News,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The toe strap was pinched at the center, creating a peep-toe-like design.—
Karla Rodriguez,
Footwear News,
23 Apr. 2026
-
Michael Conforto, a nonroster invitee in spring training who made the opening-day roster, tied the game by driving in Scott Kingery, another nonroster invitee who pinch ran for Ian Happ after the latter singled in the ninth.—
Andy Martinez,
Chicago Tribune,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Along with Lee, second baseman Luis Arraez collected three hits and stole his team-leading fourth base of the season.—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
25 Apr. 2026
-
The senior right-hander gave up a two-out single in the fifth but that runner was thrown out trying to steal second.—
Lou Ponsi,
Oc Register,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Trump being hurried off the stage unharmed and guests ducking for cover underneath their tables.—
Alanna Durkin Richer,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Might as well hurry up and shoot.—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
When the Broncos cut Greenlaw, the 49ers wasted no time in bringing him back to pair with middle linebacker Fred Warner in hopes of reviving one of the NFL’s top linebacker tandems.—
Jerry McDonald,
Mercury News,
25 Apr. 2026
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Jacksonville general manager James Gladstone and coach Liam Coen cut their teeth as part of the Rams organization, learning from GM Les Snead and coach Sean McVay.—
Mark Long,
The Orlando Sentinel,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Carl Wilson held a lead Tuesday night in the special election for a City Council seat on Manhattan’s West Side against Lindsey Boylan, in what has shaped up as a proxy battle in the ongoing power struggle between Mayor Mamdani and Council Speaker Julie Menin.—
Josephine Stratman,
New York Daily News,
29 Apr. 2026
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The conspiracy charge holds a maximum sentence of life in federal prison, while the kidnapping charge is punishable by up to 20 years.—
Tess Kenny,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Deed theft, a type of fraud in which scammers swipe the ownership of others’ homes, was spotlighted this week with the arrest of Councilmember Chi Ossé while protesting the issue.—
Josephine Stratman,
New York Daily News,
24 Apr. 2026
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The 22-year-old center fielder swiped a career-high four bases in yet another busy day in low Single-A Lake Elsinore’s 13-6 win over visiting Visalia on Thursday.—
Jeff Sanders,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
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And in 2024, 38 of the 40 edge-rushing prospects had longer arms; the only ones to measure shorter were a pair of twins from UCLA — Gabriel and Grayson Murphy — neither of whom is on an NFL roster.—
Zak Keefer,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
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Policymakers in Illinois must know that rushing to judgment, as these professors suggest, will do immeasurable harm to children across our state for generations.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
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 2 May. 2026.
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