nip 1 of 3

noun (1)

Definition of nipnext
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

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2
as in shred
a very small amount I'll have just a nip of your sandwich

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3
as in chill
an uncomfortable degree of coolness there's a nip in the air today

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

nip

2 of 3

noun (2)

as in sip
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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nip

3 of 3

verb

ˈnip How to pronounce nip (audio)
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

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

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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

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4
as in to hurry
to proceed or move quickly I'll just nip off to the corner store for some milk

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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
Noun
Back for an Encore Why not take advantage of the coming cooler weather with plants that prefer a nip in the air? — Erica Browne Grivas, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 Aug. 2026 Mercifully, Candace nips that potential Harold and Maude situation in the bud, leaving Steenburgen with her dignity intact. — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 21 July 2026
Verb
The knack for nipping past players and burning into attacking areas has been one of his strengths. — Cerys Jones, New York Times, 2 Aug. 2026 With first-round pick Monroe Freeling no longer nipping at his heels, Walker has been able to settle in at left tackle and make the most of his opportunities. — Mike Kaye july 31, Charlotte Observer, 31 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for nip
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nip
  1. spice
  2. shred
  3. chill
  4. sip
  5. shave
  6. pinch
  7. steal
  8. hurry
Noun
  • The rivalry with Arsenal has really exploded recently, and that will add extra spice.
    — Nnamdi Onyeagwara, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Keep Spices in a Pill Organizer Another one of Costello’s genius food travel hacks is for the smallest ingredients—spices.
    — Claire Hoppe Norgaard, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of spice
Noun
  • The pork chop came with an unfamiliar vegetable, shreds of a green stalk.
    — Emma Cline, New Yorker, 9 Aug. 2026
  • How to Grate Zucchini Once grated, the one large zucchini for this recipe should come out to about 1 ¾ cups of shreds.
    — Martha Stewart, Martha Stewart, 30 July 2026
Definition of shred
Noun
  • Symptoms can also include chills, nausea, stomach cramps and vomiting.
    — Mark Strassmann, CBS News, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Symptoms include watery diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting, fever and chills, according to the CDC.
    — Matt Lavietes, NBC news, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of chill
Noun
  • Guests can paddleboard into the sunset from the nearby dock or sip cocktails by the firepits scattered around the property.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Bring your bike along for the pretty 3-mile trail between Northfield and Dundas and enjoy a sip at Keepsake Cidery.
    — Hannah Agran, Midwest Living, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of sip
Verb
  • With competition so fierce in the race to build and release the latest AI models however, the expediency of shaving off every possible drag on speed trumps all.
    — Emily Forlini, Fortune, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Kath is competitive only about things that matter, like logging steps or shaving her legs, and the game had no bearing on her reality.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of shave
Verb
  • Dango Ouattara should retain his role on the right but newcomer Jaidon Anthony could pinch Kevin Schade’s place on the opposite side.
    — Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026
  • To paste somewhere else, do the opposite gesture by pinching or spreading three fingers open.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of pinch
Verb
  • Winona decided not to replace their cameras after several were stolen.
    — Ashley Grams, CBS News, 14 Aug. 2026
  • In February, a police officer pulled over a Chevrolet Tahoe based on a false positive by a Flock Safety license plate reader that reported the plate stolen.
    — Daniel McFadin, Arkansas Online, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of steal
Verb
  • Army Secretary Dan Driscoll was on vacation when the mission began and hurried back to Washington as troops mobilized.
    — Steven Beynon, ABC News, 11 Aug. 2026
  • That’s how Drake Maye ended his latest two-minute drill at Patriots training camp Monday, a meandering march that began around midfield and ended with Maye hurrying the offense to the 3-yard line with 10 seconds on the clock.
    — Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of hurry

Phrases Containing nip

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ninnyhammers
nip
nip and tuck
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Cite this Entry

“Nip.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nip. Accessed 18 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on nip

Nglish: Translation of nip for Spanish Speakers

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