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
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in hurrying
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 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
Hillary Busis, Vanity Fair, 22 Jan. 2026
Be right back, just nipping to the hospital to ask about these hives.
—Jack Lang, New York Times, 22 Jan. 2026
The Ford Ranger has been Europe's sales leader among pickup trucks for the past decade, but the Hilux has long been nipping closely at its heels as a strong number 2 contender.
—New Atlas, 16 Jan. 2026
Easy pants, like good denim via La Ligne or a pair of sheer, flowing dark blue skirt-pants from Paloma Wool, have proven themselves trusty for nipping across the city—comfy and covered.
—Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 14 Jan. 2026
Profanity was, apparently, nipping at Kelly Ripa's nose on Friday morning's episode of Live With Kelly and Mark.
—Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 21 Nov. 2025
Lately, though, that breakdown of trust has started nipping at Wikipedia’s heels.
—Harry Booth, Time, 9 Nov. 2025
And perhaps most tellingly, the entire event was tinged with anticipation of Japan’s 2026 spotlight as the Cannes Film Market’s Country of Honor, a coronation that arrives just as Korean and Chinese competitors are nipping at Japanese content’s heels.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 6 Nov. 2025
Political forecasters give the GOP a better shot in New Jersey, where their nominee, former Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli, is nipping away at Sherrill's lead in the polls.
—Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 26 Oct. 2025
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
Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another, the film previously believed to be this year’s best-picture front-runner, is nipping at Sinners’ heels with 13 nominations of its own.
—Hillary Busis, Vanity Fair, 22 Jan. 2026
Be right back, just nipping to the hospital to ask about these hives.
—Jack Lang, New York Times, 22 Jan. 2026
The Ford Ranger has been Europe's sales leader among pickup trucks for the past decade, but the Hilux has long been nipping closely at its heels as a strong number 2 contender.
—New Atlas, 16 Jan. 2026
Easy pants, like good denim via La Ligne or a pair of sheer, flowing dark blue skirt-pants from Paloma Wool, have proven themselves trusty for nipping across the city—comfy and covered.
—Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 14 Jan. 2026
Profanity was, apparently, nipping at Kelly Ripa's nose on Friday morning's episode of Live With Kelly and Mark.
—Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 21 Nov. 2025
Lately, though, that breakdown of trust has started nipping at Wikipedia’s heels.
—Harry Booth, Time, 9 Nov. 2025
And perhaps most tellingly, the entire event was tinged with anticipation of Japan’s 2026 spotlight as the Cannes Film Market’s Country of Honor, a coronation that arrives just as Korean and Chinese competitors are nipping at Japanese content’s heels.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 6 Nov. 2025
Political forecasters give the GOP a better shot in New Jersey, where their nominee, former Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli, is nipping away at Sherrill's lead in the polls.
—Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 26 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nipping
Adjective
-
The problem will be Tuesday night when temperatures drop below freezing and re-freezing occurs.—
Michael Autovino,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Despite freezing temperatures, hundreds of demonstrators took to the streets in the days following Pretti’s death, intensifying a standoff between Minnesota officials, federal agents, and activists opposed to the administration’s immigration crackdown.—
Samantha-Jo Roth,
The Washington Examiner,
26 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
This is a chilling history of a problem still ravaging significant swaths of America — not to mention elsewhere in the world.—
Declan Gallagher,
Entertainment Weekly,
31 Jan. 2026
-
Those words may be the most chilling of all.—
Bill Goodykoontz,
AZCentral.com,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
But now, federal prosecutors say Hennen is the fixer behind the biggest point-shaving scandal in history, accused of bribing 39 college players, corrupting 17 programs and fixing — or trying fix — 29 games to enrich himself and other gamblers.—
Andy Sheehan,
CBS News,
26 Jan. 2026
-
This matters especially for risky creative choices — Stone shaving her head for Bugonia, Jordan playing twins in Sinners, Hawke embodying the rapid-fire wit of Lorenz Hart in Blue Moon.—
Hannah Abraham,
Forbes.com,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Wearers love how this cheeky hipster style stays put and still looks invisible under their clothes without pinching or riding up.—
Abby Morgan Lebet,
InStyle,
22 Jan. 2026
-
Thanks to its finger guard technology, your fingers are also safe from pinching.—
Audrey Lee,
Architectural Digest,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Some also accused unscrupulous recruitment agents or Russian colleagues of stealing from their bank accounts.—
Larry Madowo,
CNN Money,
4 Feb. 2026
-
Vandals broke into a Catholic school in Long Beach overnight Monday, stealing church items, damaging statues and tossing the tabernacle to the ground, according to police and school officials.—
Summer Lin,
Los Angeles Times,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Meza Gonzalez and David Christian, one of her attorneys, refused to answer questions from reporters about the plea agreement, hurrying down a flight of stairs at the Cadena-Reeves Justice Center.—
Megan Rodriguez,
San Antonio Express-News,
27 Jan. 2026
-
But one weekend in November, people who would typically be hurrying by, staring down at their phones, stopped.—
The Editors,
Curbed,
15 Dec. 2025
Adjective
-
Temperatures could repeatedly drop well below seasonal averages, with some cold snaps 20 to 30 degrees colder than normal, forecasts suggest.—
Brandi D. Addison,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
3 Feb. 2026
-
His family-run nursery specializes in growing cold-hardy citrus trees.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
3 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Whether it's been a few days or a few years, a forkful of liver and onions will always deliver a dose of nostalgia—after all, this was the recipe so many Southern grandmas made to keep warm and fortified on an unseasonably chilly day.—
Catherine Jessee,
Southern Living,
30 Jan. 2026
-
The light wooden furniture, cosy space and Mediterranean menu offers a pleasant respite from the chilly damp of London’s winter.—
Joanne Shurvell,
Forbes.com,
30 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nipping.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nipping. Accessed 4 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
