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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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
As gasoline prices soar and inflation nips at vacation budgets, many travelers may have rethought the prospect of the Great American Road Trip. — Danny Heitman, Christian Science Monitor, 7 Aug. 2026 Pay attention to the temperatures in your area; there may be a nighttime nip in the air in the upper South, while most Southern states don’t see real heat relief until late October (if then). — Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 6 Aug. 2026
Verb
Lil Yachty, Williams’ valet, has kept nipping at Corbin’s heels. — Ryan Gaydos Outkick, FOXNews.com, 6 Sep. 2026 For instance, teaching your dog how to play with a pull toy can help reduce nipping at hands and strengthen the bond between human and dog. — Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 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
  • Rosemary, the resort’s signature restaurant serves plant-forward cuisine that incorporates regional ingredients and spices.
    — Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Next, add 5 teaspoons of pumpkin pie spice and let the mixture simmer gently for 5 minutes.
    — BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of spice
Noun
  • There’s yet to be a shred of evidence that Belichick can build and guide North Carolina’s roster into the kind of behemoth that can go on the road in the ACC, play poorly and win by double digits while barely being threatened with a loss.
    — David Ubben, New York Times, 4 Oct. 2026
  • Without a shred of evidence, Cloud casually weaponized domestic violence allegations against a fan who was simply cheering for his home team.
    — Alejandro Avila OutKick, FOXNews.com, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of shred
Noun
  • The sudden sense of isolation and the threat represented by the low-Hz will send a chill up your spine.
    — Sadie Sartini Garner, Pitchfork, 4 Oct. 2026
  • After six days, 57% of study participants who had VYD2311 injected into the muscle of their upper arm reported headaches, chills, fatigue or pain at the injection site — the typical side effects associated with vaccinations.
    — Adam Feuerstein, STAT, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of chill
Noun
  • Our editors appreciated that every sip was full of spice, with an authentically fresh flavor that could hold up to cozy warm temperatures without a lot of extra doctoring up.
    — Catherine Jessee, Southern Living, 26 Sep. 2026
  • Cola Addict captures that fizzy first sip with zippy lemon and lime, spicy ginger, and a kick of cinnamon that almost mimics the tingle of carbonation.
    — Amanda Le, InStyle, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of sip
Verb
  • Judge Underhill could have added to the 10 years of incarceration that the federal sentencing guidelines recommend but instead departed downward from them and shaved three years off them.
    — Kevin Rennie, Hartford Courant, 3 Oct. 2026
  • The option could be useful when customers don’t have enough miles for the entire ticket and are looking to shave some cash off the ticket price.
    — Leslie Josephs, CNBC, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of shave
Verb
  • Press the open edges together, then pleat or pinch the top edge to create the classic samosa shape.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Consumer spending has been growing even as higher prices continue to pinch many households.
    — Scott Horsley, NPR, 19 Sep. 2026
Definition of pinch
Verb
  • And the other film is about a Jordanian farmer and the water loss in Jordan, because there’s a whole political situation going on with water being stolen by Israel.
    — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Devin Jacob Ballard, 20, who is stationed at Futenma Air Station, on suspicion of strangling Anna Yagi, 39, at a hotel in the island's capital city, Naha, early Saturday and stealing her wallet and backpack.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of steal
Verb
  • Some hurried to try to unmask the anonymous woman behind the accusations.
    — Lauren Mascarenhas, CNN Money, 30 Sep. 2026
  • There is no need to hurry with additional rate hikes and policymakers can sit and wait for how the geopolitical risks play out.
    — Fred Imbert, CNBC, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of hurry

Phrases Containing nip

Browse Nearby Words

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 9 Oct. 2026.

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