1
as in to hit
to deliver a blow to (someone or something) usually in a strong vigorous manner
the boxer nailed his opponent with a devastating left hook
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in to decide
to make final, definite, or beyond dispute
this latest infidelity nails it—I'm filing for divorce
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to expose
to reveal the true nature of
an investigative report that nailed the teenage novelist as someone who had plagiarized the works of others
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to arrest
to take or keep under one's control by authority of law
the very first time I tried to steal anything, I got nailed
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in to grab
to take physical control or possession of (something) suddenly or forcibly
the running back saw the pass coming in and nailed it
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of nail
The rookie sharpshooter nailed a huge 3-pointer during the comeback in the fourth — fittingly assisted by Leger-Walker — but finished just 1-for-6 from the field and 1-for-3 beyond the arc.
—
Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 30 Apr. 2026
Charlotte’s new to the postseason after years in the wilderness but has righted its ship not only through bringing in a strong front office and coaching staff, but by nailing recent drafts, most recently with 2025 first-round pick Kon Knueppel.
—David Aldridge, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2026
Stripes are a prominent feature of many of the vintage activewear trends that caught my eye, and the new Vuori Seamless Euphoric Tank nails the look with a pop of blue lining the otherwise simple top.
—Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 27 Apr. 2026
Santana nailed Swaan with Spin the Block and pinned him for the win.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 27 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for nail
Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 30 Apr. 2026
Charlotte’s new to the postseason after years in the wilderness but has righted its ship not only through bringing in a strong front office and coaching staff, but by nailing recent drafts, most recently with 2025 first-round pick Kon Knueppel.
—David Aldridge, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2026
Stripes are a prominent feature of many of the vintage activewear trends that caught my eye, and the new Vuori Seamless Euphoric Tank nails the look with a pop of blue lining the otherwise simple top.
—Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 27 Apr. 2026
Santana nailed Swaan with Spin the Block and pinned him for the win.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 27 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for nail
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nail
Verb
-
And Silva hit a home run, her third, after attempting a bunt on the previous pitch.—
Dan Albano,
Oc Register,
25 Apr. 2026
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The Seattle Seahawks have already hit three of their biggest needs in the 2026 NFL Draft, taking Notre Dame running back Jadarian Price on Thursday night in Round 1 and TCU safety Bud Clark and Arkansas cornerback Julian Neal in the second and third rounds on Friday.—
Michael-Shawn Dugar,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
That April, Valerii decided to sell his Moskvitch in Kyiv.—
Lizzie Johnson,
New Yorker,
25 Apr. 2026
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By the time Claudia Martínez added a fourth in the 75th minute, Audi Field was buzzing, the result long decided.—
Asli Pelit,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
While some lavender species, such as English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia), can tolerate cold temperatures, most varieties will suffer when exposed to consistent winds and freezing conditions.—
Cori Sears,
The Spruce,
27 Apr. 2026
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These days, revenge literature arrives most often as a sordid memoir or roman à clef in which grievances are recounted, villainy exposed, and relevant facts set forth.—
Charlie Tyson,
The Atlantic,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Last month, Spears was arrested in Westlake Village by the California Highway Patrol.—
Emily St. Martin,
Los Angeles Times,
1 May 2026
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The man accused of murdering him was arrested and charged less than a week later.—
Luke Parker,
Baltimore Sun,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Rivera’s defense team contended that the gun went off inadvertently in a struggle after Rosen reached into the car and grabbed Rivera.—
John Annese,
New York Daily News,
27 Apr. 2026
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Walsh locked down Maxey out of a Sixers timeout to force a turnover, and the Celtics grabbed four offensive rebounds on one first-quarter possession, with Walsh and Scheierman accounting for three of them.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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At that house, no one answered a Statesman reporter’s knocks on Monday, but Davidson told the Statesman that his family owns the whole lot.—
Idaho Statesman,
Idaho Statesman,
28 Apr. 2026
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Alex Hebda, of Wheatfield, and Chris Mercaldo, of Valparaiso, were knocking the balls around the pool table.—
Doug Ross,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The exact reasons are often left vague, and the successors to be determined, but people are leaving.—
Benjamin Wallace-Wells,
New Yorker,
26 Apr. 2026
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Forensic investigators will determine whether the shooting was accidental, police said.—
Thomas Tracy,
New York Daily News,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Schneider gave a shout-out to his scouting staff for doing the work to uncover the type of personalities the Seahawks would be acquiring.—
Michael-Shawn Dugar,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
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After the film was shot, producers uncovered a clause in the settlement with the accuser that barred the depiction or mention of them in film or TV projects.—
Jack Dunn,
Variety,
25 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nail.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nail. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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