NIPS Synonyms: 343 Similar and Opposite Words

nips 1 of 3

noun (1)

plural of nip

as in splashes

a very small amount I'll have just a nip of your sandwich

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nips

2 of 3

noun (2)

plural of nip

as in sips

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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nips

3 of 3

verb

present tense third-person singular of nip

as in shaves

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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as in pinches

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

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as in steals

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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as in rushes

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 nips

Noun

Expansions, nips, and tucks happened over the years, but the British Colonial design was needing a facelift when Hurricane Irma decimated the island in September 2017. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 Aug. 2026 Not even regular nips from a hidden bottle of whiskey in the garage can ease Greg’s self-loathing. — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 12 Aug. 2026 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 This lens is made up of 20 elements and two mirrors plus a large-diameter aspherical lens that nips distortion and aberration in the bud. — New Atlas, 6 Aug. 2026 Mercifully, Candace nips that potential Harold and Maude situation in the bud, leaving Steenburgen with her dignity intact. — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 21 July 2026 The market is doing the Fed’s job Kevin Warsh’s argument for an ultimately lower Fed funds rate may rely on the notion that financial conditions are likely to tighten further on the long end of the yield curve—far outweighing any nips to the base rate the central bank can make. — Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 27 May 2026 Leclerc still can’t steer right at full speed, so Verstappen nips ahead for good measure at the final corner. — Alex Kalinauckas, New York Times, 11 May 2026 Chief among the products banned are the ubiquitous 50 milliliter bottles known as shooters, shots, nips or airline bottles. — Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 9 Apr. 2026

Verb

But the teacher nips the conversation in the bud, redirecting everyone’s attention to the lesson of the day. — Boaz Dvir, The Conversation, 14 Mar. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for nips

Noun

Built in a distinctively analog way, the rooms create the illusion of endless space through the use of light, mirrors and splashes of color.

— Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026
The company has built a reputation in the investment world for backing companies that have made big splashes, including Uber, Waymo and Discord.

— Jon Krawczynski, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of splashes

Verb

There will be a moment in the frenzy at the Estadio Azteca, probably as the teams take to the field or the first ball is kicked in anger, when Darren Thompson pinches himself to be witnessing all this first-hand.

— Rob Tanner, New York Times, 5 July 2026
Dad pinches my cheek between his first two fingers with a soppy look in his eyes.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 24 Nov. 2025

Definition of pinches

Verb

First inning, Shohei Ohtani walks, steals second, jogs to third on a single by Freddie Freeman, scores on a grounder by Mookie Betts.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 24 Aug. 2026
The meat is front and center, but mingling a toston or a spoonful of rice in the pork juices with the salsa verde steals the show.

— The Bon Appétit Staff, Bon Appetit Magazine, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of steals

Verb

Eddie George rushes for 216 yards, the second best opening-day NFL performance, in helping Tennessee past Oakland 24-21 in overtime.

— Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026
In the commercial, Good Good co-founder Garrett Clark rushes over to his golf bag and pushes over golfer Alexis Miestowski to keep her from grabbing the Quantum Driver.

— Andrew Greif, NBC news, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of rushes

Noun

While some of the color contrasts do articulate planar shifts, such as the candy-stripe lips (red for upper, pink for lower), many of the touches are arbitrary splotches that neither bolster a shape nor set another off.

— Zachary Fine, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026
The vocalist and Orlando band After 5 perform original R&B and neo-soul with touches of jazz.

— Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of touches

Noun

On weekdays, a steady stream of regulars stop in the light and bright space for their morning coffee and croissant or to sit for a bit with a ham and cheese sandwich and one of the shop’s seasonal specialty drinks.

— Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 31 Aug. 2026
The flavor trend has grown in recent years, with more people adding frothy, creamy banana foam to their favorite coffee drinks or banana bread coffee syrup to their lattes.

— Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of drinks

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nippy

nips

nirvana

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Style

“Nips.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nips. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of nips

noun (1)

noun (2)

verb

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