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
Kevin Stankiewicz,matthew J. Belvedere, CNBC, 11 May 2025
Alex Caruso nipped at Nikola Jokic’s ankles like a chihuahua on a double espresso.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 8 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
Texas Roadhouse on Thursday evening showed momentum in April that blunted inflation risk nipping at its heels.
—Kevin Stankiewicz,matthew J. Belvedere, CNBC, 11 May 2025
Alex Caruso nipped at Nikola Jokic’s ankles like a chihuahua on a double espresso.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 8 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for nip
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nip
Verb
-
Inside the prison, they were forced to kneel as their heads were shaved by guards.—
Nidia Cavazos,
CBS News,
23 May 2025
-
Fred’s highlight this season has been shaving his beard.—
Stephanie Bunbury,
Deadline,
23 May 2025
Verb
-
Taylor watched the game from the dugout until the ninth inning when he was summoned to pinch run and play left field.—
Brendan Kuty,
New York Times,
29 May 2025
-
For larger seedlings like beans, some gardeners just use their fingernails to pinch off the stems.—
Viveka Neveln,
Better Homes & Gardens,
25 May 2025
Verb
-
Sophomore infielder Luke Nixon was responsible for half of them, stealing 14 in 16 attempts.—
Mitch Light,
New York Times,
29 May 2025
-
Related article European city asks tourists to stop stealing cobblestones from its historic streets And while tourists are being asked not to leave anything behind at the Giant’s Causeway, visitors to Bruges, Belgium, have been implored not to take a piece of the city home with them.—
Jack Guy,
CNN Money,
28 May 2025
Verb
-
Snag a pair before the sale ends on May 26 at 8 a.m. Eastern, and hurry, because popular styles and sizes are sure to fly off the (virtual) shelves.—
Nicol Natale,
People.com,
23 May 2025
-
Aunt Phoebe hurries the girls home — to their residences and to the Red Center — before any cloak-red blood gets spilled.—
Amanda Whiting,
Vulture,
13 May 2025
Verb
-
In a series of posts on social media, the National Weather Service warned that that twisters could be cutting across the central and southern part of the metro.—
Robert A. Cronkleton,
Kansas City Star,
3 June 2025
-
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters at Tuesday’s briefing that Vought would continue to cut spending, hinting that there could be additional efforts to return funds.—
Josh Boak,
Los Angeles Times,
3 June 2025
Verb
-
The two were known for hosting parties and held a coveted status as leaders of Hollywood’s original Rat Pack.—
Michelle Duncan,
Architectural Digest,
28 May 2025
-
Other Watch Auctions As a point of reference, the Geneva Watch Auction: XXI, held May 10 and 11 in Switzerland, was a distinguished event with 188 lots sold, totaling $52,196,552.—
Nancy Olson,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2025
Verb
-
Cloud sized up the young star, reached in and swiped the ball away as time expired.—
Fiifi Frimpong,
New York Daily News,
24 May 2025
-
In that game, Haliburton scored 31 points on 12-of-23 shooting from the floor and 3-of-4 shooting from the foul line, dished out 11 assists, grabbed four rebounds, and swiped a steal.—
Alex Kirschenbaum,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 May 2025
Verb
-
Questions rushed through my head: What are my clothes going to look like?—
Newsweek Staff,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 May 2025
-
He was rushed to Lutheran General Hospital, where he was diagnosed with cancer despite having previously had no symptoms.—
Latoya Gayle,
People.com,
30 May 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 7 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share