nips 1 of 3

noun (1)

plural of nip
as in splashes
a very small amount I'll have just a nip of your sandwich

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

nips

2 of 3

noun (2)

plural of nip
as in sips
the portion of a serving of a beverage that is swallowed at one time give me just a nip of milk to help me swallow this pill

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nips

3 of 3

verb

present tense third-person singular of nip
1
as in shaves
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in pinches
to squeeze tightly between two surfaces, edges, or points the puppy nipped her hand while playing

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3
as in steals
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 rushes
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. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of nips
Noun
Mercifully, Candace nips that potential Harold and Maude situation in the bud, leaving Steenburgen with her dignity intact. — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 21 July 2026 The market is doing the Fed’s job Kevin Warsh’s argument for an ultimately lower Fed funds rate may rely on the notion that financial conditions are likely to tighten further on the long end of the yield curve—far outweighing any nips to the base rate the central bank can make. — Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 27 May 2026 Leclerc still can’t steer right at full speed, so Verstappen nips ahead for good measure at the final corner. — Alex Kalinauckas, New York Times, 11 May 2026 Chief among the products banned are the ubiquitous 50 milliliter bottles known as shooters, shots, nips or airline bottles. — Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 9 Apr. 2026 Such terrible deprivations the newcomers to our land must endure while guzzling nips, smoking weed and driving the wrong way on our interstate highways. — Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 22 Mar. 2026 Dozens of people testified in support of the bill, which would have allowed a town’s legislative body to ban the sale of nips. — Sasha Allen, Hartford Courant, 1 Mar. 2026 This extra, low-effort step makes guests feel especially welcome, as well as nips any potential musical chairs awkwardness in the bud. — Betsy Cribb Watson, Southern Living, 1 Jan. 2026 While our personal faves are the natural nips, the brand also offers smooth nipple covers. — Malia Griggs, Glamour, 10 Dec. 2025
Verb
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nips
  1. splashes
  2. sips
  3. shaves
  4. pinches
  5. steals
  6. rushes
  7. touches
  8. drinks
Noun
  • Thoughtful splashes of color are fine tuned throughout the space, like sunny yellow cabinetry livening up the kitchen and window sills sporting a punchy shade of green.
    — Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 23 July 2026
  • Four-poster beds and traditional wicker and mahogany interiors preserve the building’s original beauty, while splashes of color in the artwork and brightly hued soft furnishings add character.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 July 2026
Definition of splashes
Noun
  • Give the person sips of water, but if nausea occurs, discontinue providing the person water.
    — Ruth Abramovitz, Sun Sentinel, 20 July 2026
  • Set Reminders Use phone or calendar alerts to prompt regular sips.
    — Sheena Chihak, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 July 2026
Definition of sips
Verb
  • Its ceramic blades easily tackle coarse hair and its waterproof design makes in-shower shaves a breeze.
    — Sara Coughlin, Allure, 5 July 2026
  • Zillow says that a pale pink bathroom could lose you up to $6,013, while a pale pink kitchen shaves an extra $4,201 off potential buyers' offers.
    — Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 June 2026
Definition of shaves
Verb
  • There will be a moment in the frenzy at the Estadio Azteca, probably as the teams take to the field or the first ball is kicked in anger, when Darren Thompson pinches himself to be witnessing all this first-hand.
    — Rob Tanner, New York Times, 5 July 2026
  • Dad pinches my cheek between his first two fingers with a soppy look in his eyes.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 24 Nov. 2025
Definition of pinches
Verb
  • Milton-Jones ranks third in franchise history in blocks (245) and fourth in points (4,018), field goals (1,509), rebounds (1,882), steals (440) and minutes (10,384).
    — Steve Galluzzo, Los Angeles Times, 29 July 2026
  • And China is a rule-breaker and steals intellectual property.
    — David Frum, The Atlantic, 29 July 2026
Definition of steals
Verb
  • Authorities blame successive, record-breaking heat waves and climate change for supercharging the blazes, as Europe rushes water-dumping aircraft, masks and thousands of firefighters to contain rapidly shifting fire fronts.
    — Mark Carlson, Los Angeles Times, 25 July 2026
  • Google rushes to make changes Risking even higher fines for delaying updates, Google does not appear to be depending on Trump quickly stepping in to block the fines.
    — Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 23 July 2026
Definition of rushes
Noun
  • Here’s an outpost of a chain with some extremely personal, local touches.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 July 2026
  • In a match where scoring opportunities were limited, Denver Summit FC was held to one shot on goal despite 35 touches in the box.
    — Nate Peterson, Denver Post, 27 July 2026
Definition of touches
Noun
  • This includes accommodation and meals, all soft and alcoholic drinks (excluding French champagne) including cellar collection wines, cocktails and single-malt whiskeys, laundry service, lodge activities, massage and spa treatments.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 July 2026
  • The analysis looked at factors like cottage rental costs, fuel, groceries prices, drinks, and the overall cost of firewood.
    — Kaitlyn McInnis, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026
Definition of drinks

Browse Nearby Words

nippy
nips
nirvana
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Cite this Entry

“Nips.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nips. Accessed 2 Aug. 2026.

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