1
as in freezing
having a low or subnormal temperature
a group of campers waking up to the nipping air of a Rocky Mountain morning
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in chilling
uncomfortably cool
better wear a windbreaker if you're going sailing in this nipping wind
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in shaving
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 stealing
to take (something) without right and with an intent to keep
that guy nipped my wallet from the restaurant table when I turned away
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4
as in hurrying
to proceed or move quickly
I'll just nip off to the corner store for some milk
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of nipping
Drew Dorian, Car and Driver, 21 June 2023
But recent editorials in The People’s Daily—the Chinese Communist Party’s flagship publication—continued to call on China’s population to stick with its approach of staying vigilant and nipping outbreaks in the bud.
—Sha Hua, WSJ, 18 Nov. 2022
Likewise, her rep handled the announcements about the Bidens' rambunctious rescue dog, Major, who's been involved in several nipping incidents and has to undergo off-site behavior training.
—USA Today, 27 Apr. 2021
The nipping incident comes a few weeks after the dog caused a minor injury to someone else at the White House.
—Tim Perry, CBS News, 31 Mar. 2021
Del Mar extended its current winning streak to a season-best three in a row by first nipping Lincoln and then nudging San Jose 48-46.
—Dave Mendonca, The Mercury News, 16 Feb. 2017
Ew Staff, EW.com, 1 Mar. 2025
The Panthers were able to prevent Pembroke from a clean sweep of both team championships, nipping the Titans for the girls crown by just nine points in the school standings with 69 overall.
—Brendan Connelly, Boston Herald, 15 Feb. 2025
Gwendoline had a goat nipping at her.
—Jen Chaney, Vulture, 31 Jan. 2025
The design is thoughtful, with the empire waist nipping in high enough on the torso that the crotch area won’t be prone to clinging.
—Sarah Chiwaya, refinery29.com, 21 Jan. 2025
Vagabond quarterback Sam Darnold has kept the Vikings (10-2) nipping at the heels of the Lions all season.
—Jim Reineking, USA TODAY, 6 Dec. 2024
The contest had narrowed considerably in the final weeks, and polls showed Hovde nipping at Baldwin’s heels.
—Al Weaver, The Hill, 6 Nov. 2024
Nvidia’s stock has also been rallying for much of October, and is nipping at Apple’s heels as the current second-most valuable company by market cap.
—Megan Poinski, Forbes, 21 Oct. 2024
Adjective
The Supra's sharp handling and responsive powertrains, however, mean its happier nipping apexes than long highway slogs.
—Drew Dorian, Car and Driver, 21 June 2023
But recent editorials in The People’s Daily—the Chinese Communist Party’s flagship publication—continued to call on China’s population to stick with its approach of staying vigilant and nipping outbreaks in the bud.
—Sha Hua, WSJ, 18 Nov. 2022
Likewise, her rep handled the announcements about the Bidens' rambunctious rescue dog, Major, who's been involved in several nipping incidents and has to undergo off-site behavior training.
—USA Today, 27 Apr. 2021
The nipping incident comes a few weeks after the dog caused a minor injury to someone else at the White House.
—Tim Perry, CBS News, 31 Mar. 2021
Del Mar extended its current winning streak to a season-best three in a row by first nipping Lincoln and then nudging San Jose 48-46.
—Dave Mendonca, The Mercury News, 16 Feb. 2017
Verb
Closing out the 2017 Oscars, Faye Dunaway and Warren Beatty presented the Best Picture category, with La La Land as the frontrunner and Moonlight nipping at its heels.
—Ew Staff, EW.com, 1 Mar. 2025
The Panthers were able to prevent Pembroke from a clean sweep of both team championships, nipping the Titans for the girls crown by just nine points in the school standings with 69 overall.
—Brendan Connelly, Boston Herald, 15 Feb. 2025
Gwendoline had a goat nipping at her.
—Jen Chaney, Vulture, 31 Jan. 2025
The design is thoughtful, with the empire waist nipping in high enough on the torso that the crotch area won’t be prone to clinging.
—Sarah Chiwaya, refinery29.com, 21 Jan. 2025
Vagabond quarterback Sam Darnold has kept the Vikings (10-2) nipping at the heels of the Lions all season.
—Jim Reineking, USA TODAY, 6 Dec. 2024
The contest had narrowed considerably in the final weeks, and polls showed Hovde nipping at Baldwin’s heels.
—Al Weaver, The Hill, 6 Nov. 2024
Nvidia’s stock has also been rallying for much of October, and is nipping at Apple’s heels as the current second-most valuable company by market cap.
—Megan Poinski, Forbes, 21 Oct. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nipping
Adjective
-
While adults die in cold weather, their eggs can survive freezing temperatures until the return of spring.—
Marina Johnson,
Louisville Courier Journal,
15 Sep. 2025
-
The set comes with six lights that are built to withstand year-round weather conditions, including rain and freezing temperatures.—
Maggie Horton,
PEOPLE,
8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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As the respiratory virus season arrives, some still worry that so many statements and counter-statements about vaccines will ultimately create a chilling effect.—
Paul Sisson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
20 Sep. 2025
-
Advertisement That assault is already having a concrete chilling effect on the market.—
Justin Worland,
Time,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The lone artisan in his shop shaving out a single bow at a time from a stave of wood was a thing of the past.—
Clare Conley,
Outdoor Life,
18 Sep. 2025
-
In that case, 33-year-old TJ Hoover woke up in the operating room to find people shaving his chest, bathing his body in surgical solution and talking about harvesting his organs.—
Jacqueline Howard,
CNN Money,
18 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Another option is the Valsalva maneuver, which requires pinching your nose, closing your mouth and blowing gently out through your ears.—
Daryl Austin,
USA Today,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Otherwise, the Galaxy Watch 8 has Samsung’s One UI 8 interface on top of Wear OS 6 to put its own spin on interacting with your watch, with support for gesture controls to dismiss an alarm by twisting your wrist or take a picture by double-pinching your fingers.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
24 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Green Berets and Army Rangers have been busted trafficking cocaine on military planes, dealing drugs at Fort Bragg, working for Mexican cartels, stealing military weapons, committing murders for hire, and carrying out at least two mass shootings.—
Seth Harp,
Harpers Magazine,
19 Sep. 2025
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The suspects were accused of tying Kardashian up with zip ties and duct tape before stealing her jewelry, including a $4 million engagement ring gifted to her by then-husband rapper Ye, formerly known as Kanye West.—
Anthony Robledo,
USA Today,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Before the new regulations, says Annie Inglis, Marine Biology Presenter with Quark, the expedition crew would be hurrying to get guests in Zodiacs to try to get closer to a bear sighting like this.—
Cassidy Randall,
Forbes.com,
14 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Dish it into a bowl and top it with an icy-cold scoop of vanilla ice cream.—
Sophia Beams,
Better Homes & Gardens,
20 Sep. 2025
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The world’s icy landscapes suffered, too, according to the analysis.—
Laura Paddison,
CNN Money,
18 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The autumn equinox marks the formal start of the season in the Northern Hemisphere and the return of chilly temperatures to California.—
Hannah Poukish
September 18,
Sacbee.com,
18 Sep. 2025
-
Threshold Printed Plush Throw This versatile blanket can be draped over accent chairs and sofas or used as a warm layer on a bed or for chilly fall nights outside.—
Jacqueline Tempera,
Better Homes & Gardens,
17 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Nipping.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nipping. Accessed 22 Sep. 2025.
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