1
as in trimming
to make (something) shorter or smaller with the use of a cutting instrument
a mother who's sad to see her little boy's curls clipped for the first time
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in hitting
to deliver a blow to (someone or something) usually in a strong vigorous manner
the pitch clipped the batter's helmet with enough force to knock it clean off his head
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 clipping
Melissa Noel, Essence, 5 May 2025
The documents released so far appear to include Justice Department and FBI memos, as well as photos of evidence collected during the investigation into Robert F. Kennedy's assassination and clippings from news reports.
—Joe Walsh, CBS News, 18 Apr. 2025
Tricia Manzanero Stuedeman, Southern Living, 10 Dec. 2024
To maximize flowering, prune late blooming clematis hard in February by clipping vines back to the lowest set of flower buds.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for clipping
Noun
Before the ceremony, Moore was shown artifacts from his grandfather’s time at Lincoln—his transcript, newspaper clippings and more.
—Melissa Noel, Essence, 5 May 2025
The documents released so far appear to include Justice Department and FBI memos, as well as photos of evidence collected during the investigation into Robert F. Kennedy's assassination and clippings from news reports.
—Joe Walsh, CBS News, 18 Apr. 2025
Verb
Bag up thicker icing in a variety of shades, clipping or tying the back of the piping bags to seal, then create bags of thinner icing in a variety of colors.
—Tricia Manzanero Stuedeman, Southern Living, 10 Dec. 2024
To maximize flowering, prune late blooming clematis hard in February by clipping vines back to the lowest set of flower buds.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for clipping
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clipping
Noun
-
Three delectable desserts: the alpine honey cake, the olive oil panna cotta with wedges of grapefruit and kumquats and the grapefruit and Campari ice with shavings.—
Steve Forbes,
Forbes.com,
29 May 2025
-
Disney California Adventure Banoffee Pie Cold Brew Cappuccino Cart Butterscotch cold brew topped with banana cold foam and garnished with cocoa shavings.—
Brady MacDonald,
Oc Register,
27 May 2025
Verb
-
Melissa Joan Hart is showing off her impressive beard-trimming skills!—
Gil Macias,
People.com,
6 Jan. 2025
-
The couple can be seen having a blast as Hart took the clippers and started trimming Wilkerson's beard in various ways, eventually splitting it into three long strands.—
Gil Macias,
People.com,
6 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
The first season of Severance was a kettle on a flame, hitting its boiling point around Episode 7, and then just boiling over for the final three episodes.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
31 Mar. 2025
-
The driver pulled out a gun and fired six shots, the witness said, hitting not only the belligerent passenger but also an uninvolved man sitting nearby.—
Theresa Braine,
New York Daily News,
31 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
With a tiny sliver of activist voters holding the same power to deny a candidate an office as a majority of the broad general electorate, the incentives for bipartisanship have all but disappeared in most states and districts.—
Chris Stirewalt,
The Hill,
30 May 2025
-
Small slivers of the population in cities, towns, and counties across the U.S., nearly every spring, are able to saddle their fellow residents with millions and in some cases billions of dollars worth of new tax and spending obligation.—
Patrick Gleason,
Forbes.com,
19 May 2025
Noun
-
Miley Cyrus just gave fans a new look into the world of Something Beautiful, with the pop star unveiling her visual album film’s official trailer — featuring a snippet of an unreleased song — on Thursday (May 22).—
Hannah Dailey,
Billboard,
22 May 2025
-
On the Kennedy Center’s YouTube page, there is a short promotional video with snippets from the show.—
Abigail Anthony,
National Review,
21 May 2025
Verb
-
The group in the other vehicle surround Martinez between the two vehicles, with two people repeatedly punching her while a third person pulls her legs, taking her to the ground.—
Nathan Solis,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Dec. 2024
-
According to Hallman, Forrest-Stitt responded by allegedly assaulting him, punching him in the chest, hitting his mouth, and causing injuries, including a busted lip and a painful bicep injury.—
Gordon G. Chang,
Newsweek,
11 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
While splinters were already forming, a trio of Grammy nominations nevertheless followed - with Potter left to ponder what could’ve/should’ve been.—
Jim Ryan,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2025
-
Israeli military rule would last nearly four decades, during which Hamas emerged as a splinter of the Muslim Brotherhood movement in the 1980s, until a 2005 disengagement.—
Tom O'Connor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 May 2025
Noun
-
The set includes an 8-inch chef knife, 8-inch bread knife, 8-inch slicing knife, a 7-inch Santoku knife, 5-inch utility knife, and 3.5-inch paring knife.—
Stephanie Osmanski,
Better Homes & Gardens,
14 Mar. 2025
-
Just as the interior of the house may benefit from a paring down for selling, so too could the yard.—
Patricia Shannon,
Southern Living,
24 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Clipping.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clipping. Accessed 6 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share