nipping 1 of 2

nipping

2 of 2

verb

present participle of nip
1
as in shaving
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 pinching
to squeeze tightly between two surfaces, edges, or points the puppy nipped her hand while playing

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

3
4

Examples 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 nipping
Adjective
The Supra's sharp handling and responsive powertrains, however, mean its happier nipping apexes than long highway slogs. Drew Dorian, Car and Driver, 21 June 2023 But recent editorials in The People’s Daily—the Chinese Communist Party’s flagship publication—continued to call on China’s population to stick with its approach of staying vigilant and nipping outbreaks in the bud. Sha Hua, WSJ, 18 Nov. 2022 Thanks to a little nipping and tucking, the Nissan Altima receives an attractive facelift for 2023. Eric Stafford, Car and Driver, 9 June 2022 Likewise, her rep handled the announcements about the Bidens' rambunctious rescue dog, Major, who's been involved in several nipping incidents and has to undergo off-site behavior training. USA Today, 27 Apr. 2021 The nipping incident comes a few weeks after the dog caused a minor injury to someone else at the White House. Tim Perry, CBS News, 31 Mar. 2021 Prune Your Shrubs With Regal Shears Sculpting boxwoods into bunnies, trimming your David Austin roses or nipping daisies for a pickle-jar vase? Andrew Nelson, WSJ, 27 Mar. 2021 Del Mar extended its current winning streak to a season-best three in a row by first nipping Lincoln and then nudging San Jose 48-46. Dave Mendonca, The Mercury News, 16 Feb. 2017
Verb
Eric is the old cowboy who is basically at the end of his career, and Harper is the young gunslinger who’s just nipping at his heels. Alison Herman, Variety, 30 Sep. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nipping
Adjective
  • Fixture Rearrangement But most MLS markets more hospitable to playing through some of the winter than Denmark. Of MLS’ 30 clubs next season, only 16 play in environments where the average low temperatures are freezing or below in January.
    Ian Nicholas Quillen, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024
  • Avoid late season pruning and fertilizer applications, which promote new growth that will not have time to harden off before freezing temperatures arrive.
    Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 31 Oct. 2024
Adjective
  • The bottom line: Trump's most dangerous weapon against the media is his words, which press freedom advocates have warned do have a significant chilling effect both at home and abroad.
    Sara Fischer, Axios, 5 Nov. 2024
  • The dual proposals of a mass deportation and allowing local law enforcement to arrest those in the country illegally could have a chilling effect not only on immigrants in the country legally but also businesses looking to move to Arizona, Graham said.
    Emily Wilkins, CNBC, 4 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • Pan said after his race on Wednesday that American and Australian swimmers had been icy toward him.
    Jennifer Jett, NBC News, 2 Aug. 2024
  • The combination of human pressures and an icier coast may have eventually driven blue whales offshore.
    Andrew Chapman, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 May 2024
Adjective
  • The story had begun almost a decade earlier when, one chilly winter's day in 1946, Prince Max von Hohenlohe fired up his charcoal-burning Rolls-Royce Phantom and drove south from a 90-room palace just outside Madrid.
    Nick Foulkes, theweek, 7 Nov. 2024
  • Erik Kain My November cold continues into another chilly, though somewhat less wintry, day.
    Erik Kain, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • Our Guide to Austin 06 of 07 Muenster North of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, the small city of Muenster channels its German roots with its own version of Oktoberfest that includes a dachshund dash, a stein holding contest, German music, as well as a 5K, 10K, and half marathon.
    Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 4 Oct. 2024
  • Outside of the Sunshine State, the picture is even more dire, with just 1% of homeowners who sustained flooding from Helene holding flood insurance, the institute said.
    Kate Gibson, CBS News, 4 Oct. 2024
Verb
  • There’s a sweet spot between swiping to bring up your open apps menu and swiping up gently to launch the taskbar.
    Janhoi McGregor, Forbes, 3 Oct. 2024
  • Art was right behind her, swiping the scalpel through the air, trying to cut her.
    William Earl, Variety, 1 Oct. 2024
Adjective
  • On cold days, its extra length and 650-fill-power down feel like a warm hug.
    Abigail Barronian, Outside Online, 11 Nov. 2024
  • On our return to The Ravel after every excursion, we are greeted by a welcome party of staff holding out a cold towel and a glass of buck's fizz.
    James Rampton, theweek, 6 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • There’s an effortlessness to her collections that just feel really chill and easy.
    Emily Mercer, WWD, 29 Oct. 2024
  • That feels like the right answer, even if Viktor is being shockingly chill about the whole thing after Allison killed Harlan last season.
    Scott Meslow, Vulture, 8 Aug. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near nipping

Cite this Entry

“Nipping.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nipping. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

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