nip 1 of 3

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nip

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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

Synonyms & Similar Words

nip

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verb

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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
And bought a morning paper, which neither of us read; John Cameron Mitchell, actor Exhaustion nips at the heels of delight; the ferries and subways never stop running. A.o. Scott, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2025 The program is designed to help cities and towns provide for collection and proper disposal of nips and to prevent littering. Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 21 Apr. 2025
Verb
By the time Eclipse was published in August 2007, the series had acquired an obsessive fandom big enough to nip at the heels of those devoted to Harry Potter or Star Wars. Bruce Handy, Vulture, 20 May 2025 Some of those gardeners at the sale may begin their patchwork right after Mother’s Day, but that plan can backfire when a cold front moves in, like what is happening this week, and frost can nip those fragile young seedlings. Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 19 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for nip
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nip
Verb
  • Courtney's husband surprises their daughter after shaving his beard off.
    Jack Beresford, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 July 2025
  • On those three days, just over a millisecond is expected to be shaved off the standard 24-hour day.
    Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 10 July 2025
Verb
  • Panic can result if the loss pinches your finances.
    Catherine Brock, Forbes.com, 28 June 2025
  • My toes were pinched by crabs approximately thirty times.
    David Litt June 25, Literary Hub, 25 June 2025
Verb
  • How An Ocean Apart is different: The rebellious main character is secretly competing to break his heart and steal his money.
    Rebecca Dazenbaker, People.com, 15 July 2025
  • Police are investigating after suitcases containing hard drives with unreleased Beyoncé music were stolen from her team’s rental car ahead of her tour stop in Atlanta.
    Jami Ganz, New York Daily News, 15 July 2025
Verb
  • Archer’s first delivery, timed at 87.4mph, hurried the left-handed Jaiswal.
    Paul Newman, New York Times, 11 July 2025
  • The scene from election night On June 24, the night of the most recent meeting, members hurried into the Picnic House to hear the results of the votes.
    Vanessa Romo, NPR, 7 July 2025
Verb
  • The chances the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates by 50 basis points in December are growing, according to Oxford Economics.
    Danny Bakst, Fortune, 9 July 2025
  • Every first without him will cut especially deep, but there will also be comfort to be gained from being back together at Kirkby.
    James Pearce, New York Times, 9 July 2025
Verb
  • And believe it or not, plenty are genuinely comfortable, holding their own against traditional footwear.
    Jake Henry Smith, Glamour, 15 July 2025
  • Blake plans on talking shop with Tigers ace Tarik Skubal, the reigning American League Cy Young, as well as Seattle’s Bryan Woo, who held the Yankees hitless for seven innings this past week.
    Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 14 July 2025
Verb
  • Now, though, Tinder cofounder Justin Mateen swiped right on the property, purchasing it alongside his brother Tyler and Culver Capital for $82.2 million.
    Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 9 July 2025
  • These tiny Android-style slabs can be swiped up for battery info and swiped left or right to navigate the screens.
    Mark Sparrow, Forbes.com, 8 July 2025
Verb
  • The priest survived, but had to be rushed to the hospital to have shrapnel from the bomb removed from his body.
    Kevin Holden Platt, Forbes.com, 6 July 2025
  • Pascual suffered a massive head injury and was rushed to Maimonides Medical Center where he was put on life support.
    Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 6 July 2025

Cite this Entry

“Nip.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nip. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.

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