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.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of nip
Francesca Carington, New York Times, 18 Feb. 2025
The affection can build up and lead to a slight nip at each other.
—Ron Estes, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2025
N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 9 May 2025
The Falcons are defending Open Division champions and have been nipping at the heels of the Lancers all season.
—Tim Meehan, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for nip
Noun
Opposite is the fat and welcoming British Library, composed of 10 million bricks, a number that merely nips at the toes of the 60-million-brick St. Pancras Hotel next door.
—Francesca Carington, New York Times, 18 Feb. 2025
The affection can build up and lead to a slight nip at each other.
—Ron Estes, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2025
Verb
Owners should train their puppies not to bite or nip.
—N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 9 May 2025
The Falcons are defending Open Division champions and have been nipping at the heels of the Lancers all season.
—Tim Meehan, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for nip
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nip
Verb
-
An article published that year by The New York Times notes that Davis shaved the front of her head for the part.—
Michelle Lee,
People.com,
5 June 2025
-
To begin, researchers tried to mimic sun exposure by shaving the dorsal skin of mice and applying cis-urocanic acid (dissolved in water).—
Jay Kakade
June 03,
New Atlas,
3 June 2025
Verb
-
Svitolina hit 37 winners in total in the match, and pinched that tiebreak 8-6 to level the match at one-set all.—
Charlie Eccleshare,
New York Times,
1 June 2025
-
Thune’s home-state colleague, Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), has warned that tariffs are pinching farmers in South Dakota.—
Alexander Bolton,
The Hill,
30 May 2025
Verb
-
This image from Japan catches a White-Tailed Sea Eagle hiding a fish in a hole as another eagle was approaching to steal it.—
Cecilia Rodriguez,
Forbes.com,
10 June 2025
-
Meanwhile, there are Black folks serving life for stealing a pack of gum.—
Peter Aitken
Alia Shoaib,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 June 2025
Verb
-
At one point, the guide hurried her group past an object in the distance.—
Nicole Blanchard,
Idaho Statesman,
4 June 2025
-
The Democrats running for governor in 2026 hurried among caucus meetings, floor speeches and after-parties, telling their personal stories and talking up their bona fides for tackling some of California’s most entrenched problems, including housing affordability and the rising cost of living.—
Laura J. Nelson,
Los Angeles Times,
1 June 2025
Verb
-
The end of Elon Musk’s time at the helm of the Department of Government Efficiency is the latest chapter in a long story: Republicans are better at cutting taxes than cutting spending.—
W. James Antle III,
The Washington Examiner,
3 June 2025
-
President Joe Biden promoted a suite of policies meant to cut carbon emissions by boosting EV sales.—
Camila Domonoske,
NPR,
3 June 2025
Verb
-
The Angels held the third-worst batting average (.229) and fourth-worst on-base percentage (.301) in MLB a year ago.—
Benjamin Royer,
Los Angeles Times,
9 June 2025
-
About 20 protesters stood at the entrance wearing shirts and holding signs with Christian messaging.—
Sally Krutzig,
Idaho Statesman,
9 June 2025
Verb
-
At the moment, users have to press and hold the AirPods stem or swipe on it to enable it.—
Jibin Joseph,
PC Magazine,
5 June 2025
-
Ramón Urías collected an RBI on a sacrifice fly to right and Ryan Mountcastle swiped home as the tail end of a double steal.—
LaMond Pope,
Chicago Tribune,
30 May 2025
Verb
-
More Getty Images Fast forward to 2025, and Scheffler is no longer an amateur rushing through rounds to catch a basketball game.—
Devlina Sarkar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 June 2025
-
Keep in mind, Miami had the sixth-best rushing attack in 2023.—
C. Isaiah Smalls II,
Miami Herald,
12 June 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 16 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share