1
as in chilly
having a low or subnormal temperature
bring a jacket, as it's a little nippy outside
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2
as in spicy
having a powerfully stimulating odor or flavor
blue cheese is a little too nippy for my taste
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3
as in brisk
moving, proceeding, or acting with great speed
racing around the neighborhood on a nippy scooter
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4
as in chilling
uncomfortably cool
a nippy wind that chilled parade watchers to the bone
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of nippy
All that was left was the nippy air that was expected to force trick-or-treaters to dress with an extra layer.
—
Rick Hurd, The Mercury News, 31 Oct. 2024
But despite the better performance, this car isn’t as nippy as dual motor Teslas, nor is the performance delivery so immediate.
—James Morris, Forbes, 19 Oct. 2024
That from a man small in stature but nippy and tenacious, not to mention technically gifted—these characteristics have kept him at the top level in Spain.
—Henry Flynn, Forbes, 30 Sep. 2024
The black option looks unquestionably upscale, and the brown version, with its creamy shearling and vintage aviator vibes, just begs to be worn on a nippy night out.
—Miles Walls, People.com, 28 Sep. 2024
See All Example Sentences for nippy
Rick Hurd, The Mercury News, 31 Oct. 2024
But despite the better performance, this car isn’t as nippy as dual motor Teslas, nor is the performance delivery so immediate.
—James Morris, Forbes, 19 Oct. 2024
That from a man small in stature but nippy and tenacious, not to mention technically gifted—these characteristics have kept him at the top level in Spain.
—Henry Flynn, Forbes, 30 Sep. 2024
The black option looks unquestionably upscale, and the brown version, with its creamy shearling and vintage aviator vibes, just begs to be worn on a nippy night out.
—Miles Walls, People.com, 28 Sep. 2024
See All Example Sentences for nippy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nippy
Adjective
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And while hot summer days give the grapes more tropical flavors, chilly nights trap some contrasting acidity under their skins.—
Benjy Egel,
Sacbee.com,
3 Apr. 2025
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The Yankees suffered their second consecutive loss on Wednesday, falling to Arizona, 4-3, on a chilly night in the Bronx.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
3 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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This venue is open 24 hours a day with a menu of complimentary bar snacks like pretzel bites with spicy mustard, bowls of chili and burgers.—
Ramsey Qubein,
Forbes.com,
30 Mar. 2025
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Fiery chili-crisp pasta, spicy cocoa shrimp, beef mala hot pot, and more tingle-inducing recipes.—
Carly Westerfield,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
29 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Warhol is a brisk dip in self-deprecating self-examination.—
Craig Jenkins,
Vulture,
2 Apr. 2025
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Monday’s weather for the A’s first home game was unseasonably cool with rain earlier in the day and game-time temperature a brisk 52 degrees with some light wind.—
Barry M. Bloom,
Sportico.com,
1 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Gateway communities to our national parks understand their economic viability isn't tied to the chilling effects of militarization, but nested in becoming more inclusive communities for all of us.—
Ron Estes,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2025
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Legal scholars have said there is little legal precedent for Trump's war on Big Law, which has created a chilling effect across the legal community, and most will certainly have a chilling effect on his opponents who will need legal representation against him.—
Alexander Mallin,
ABC News,
29 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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No longer enthusiastic about their road trip, the Brits are cold and looking a little nervous.—
Matt Cabral,
EW.com,
30 Mar. 2025
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The nights are cold still, though bundling up is certainly an option.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
30 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Most industry observers will recognize the pungent whiff of AI that YouTube’s algorithm lifts under the nose, but for some, the movie commercials can be indiscernible from the real deal.—
Jake Kanter,
Deadline,
28 Mar. 2025
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The result was a substance with a pungent smell — an odorizer that wiped out an offending odor by creating one that was arguably even worse (think: chlorine, but several times stronger).—
Jacob Bernstein,
New York Times,
27 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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According to a 2024 study published by Realtor.com, Texas accounted for 15 percent of new housing permits issued across the U.S., despite only making up 9 percent of its population, helping to keep prices and rents relatively cheap despite the rapid inflow of people.—
Ron Estes,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Mar. 2025
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By 540 million years ago, the Cambrian explosion was underway — a rapid diversification of life that saw the emergence of complex multicellular organisms, predatory behavior and the foundations of modern ecosystems.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
30 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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And then obviously in between that, either dropping my kid off at school or picking my kid up or hanging out, going to the park or something like that in some of those gaps, but that’s a very happy day, very chill, humbling day (Laughs).—
Carly Thomas,
HollywoodReporter,
4 Apr. 2025
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People are going to be very chill and normal, like the internet always is.—
Kathleen Newman-Bremang,
refinery29.com,
10 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Nippy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nippy. Accessed 13 Apr. 2025.
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