1
as in shaved
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 stole
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 raced
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
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Recent Examples of nipped
Katie Abel, Footwear News, 26 Sep. 2025
Matt Schneidman, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
Boise State head coach Spencer Danielson nipped that idea in the bud following Saturday night’s loss.
—Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 14 Dec. 2025
Tiafoe nipped Alcaraz in a tiebreaker in 2024.
—Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 5 Dec. 2025
Elsewhere, a glass of orange juice propped on the side of an easel seemed to hint at an artist who just nipped out for a break.
—Joelle Diderich, Footwear News, 27 Oct. 2025
Yet, the club still nipped the Lakers on 2024-25 revenue, $620 million to $618 million, thanks to the playoff run—the Lakers lost in the first round.
—Kurt Badenhausen, Sportico.com, 22 Oct. 2025
However, Lefty nipped the rumor in the bud by posting on X that there is no chance of this happening.
—Julio Cesar Valdera Morales, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Sep. 2025
Walker Buehler and three relievers combined on a five-hitter as the Philadelphia Phillies nipped the visiting Miami Marlins 1-0 on Thursday.
—Miami Herald, 25 Sep. 2025
Ohtani struck out him out looking twice, once on a backdoor sweeper and once on a 101 mph fastball that nipped the corner.
—Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 14 Aug. 2025
Adjective
One standout style, with its elongated pointed nipped toe, is crafted in carbon fiber and galvanized in a car factory.
—Verb
The injury bug has nipped at the Packers all season, and now is no different, especially on special teams.
—Recent Examples of Synonyms for nipped
Adjective
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Sip a chilled glass of rosé at the water's edge on the terrace of the Welcome Hotel and watch the world go by.—
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How To Use Pie Weights To use pie weights properly, line a chilled crust with parchment paper or foil, then fill at least 2/3 of the way up with weights.—
Verb
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Her brother shaved his head alongside her, while friends organized care packages, drove her to sessions and offered constant encouragement.—
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Junior grabbed a hair clipper, held her against the bed and shaved her head.—
Verb
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Some riders have gotten stuck between the gates CBS News New York cameras captured a woman with her head pinched between the gates.—
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They are pinched into a bright, almost surgical nasality or burst loose into grand, sideways arcs, flaring out in a feral yelp.—
Verb
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The perfect partner for the look is a powder pink clutch and stole, both with embroidery that matches the dress.—
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What also stole the show was her custom Lorraine Schwartz bling, particularly her diamond rings and custom earrings, which were made with 75 carats worth of diamonds in a cluster arrangement.—
Verb
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Schyler Dethorne raced 68-yards for a TD and Belton tallied scoring runs of six and 52-yards, as Alvarado held a 28-3 lead after the opening quarter.—
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Much of CoreWeave’s utility has come from offering readily available compute as those companies raced to scale up their own operations.—
Adjective
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Ingber also notes the numbed response to these strikes from much of the American public, something that, in part, may come from the routine nature of these drone strikes as something that the nation has become desensitized to dropping bombs on enemies.—
Verb
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Carolina cut the lead 17-14 at halftime after a 1-yard touchdown run by Hubbard and a 16-yard scramble by Young, the second-longest TD run of his career.—
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This same staff cut him to make room for a waiver-wire claim before the start of the 2024 season.—
Verb
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The rapper, who pleaded not guilty to all charges, has been held at the Brooklyn Metropolitan Detention Center since he was arrested in September 2024.—
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That means every state budget could be held hostage until the whims of a small fraction of legislators is satisfied.—
Cite this Entry
“Nipped.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nipped. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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