nail

Tweet

verb

Definition of NAIL

1

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 bang, bash, bat, belt, biff, bludgeon, bob, bonk, bop, box, bust, clap, clip, clobber, clock, clout, crack, hammer, knock, nail, paste, pound, punch, rap, slam, slap, slog, slug, smack, smite, sock, strike, swat, swipe, tag, thump, thwack, wallop, whack, whale, zap

Related Words batter, beat, buffet, bung, chop, cuff, drub, lace, lambaste (or lambast), lick, mangle, maul, pelt, pepper, pommel, pummel, rough; scuff; bunt, flick, stroke, tap; bump, butt, jab, jostle, kick, knee, poke, prod, push, shove, stamp; bowl (down or over), cream, deck, dump [slang], fell, floor, knock down, level; rabbit-punch, sucker punch; cane, club, cudgel, flail, flog, lash, sap, slash, sledge, sledgehammer, spear, stab, switch, thrash, whip; bean, brain, conk, skull

2

to make final, definite, or beyond dispute <this latest infidelity nails it—I'm filing for divorce>

Synonyms decide, determine, nail, settle

Related Words demonstrate, establish, nail (down), prove, show; affirm, assure, ensure, insure, secure; define, specify, state, stipulate; clarify, clear (up), illuminate; conclude, end, finish

Near Antonyms confuse, muddle, muddy, unsettle

3

to reveal the true nature of <an investigative report that nailed the teenage novelist as someone who had plagiarized the works of others>

Synonyms debunk, nail, show up, uncloak, uncover, undress, unmask

Related Words demolish, discredit, disprove; disclose, divulge, tell, unveil

Near Antonyms conceal, hide, secrete, veil

Antonyms camouflage, cloak, disguise, mask

4

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 apprehend, bust [slang], collar, nab, nail, nick [British slang], pick up, pinch, pull in, restrain, run in, seize

Related Words bag, capture, catch, get, grab, grapple, hook, land, snap (up), snare, snatch, trap; commit, confine, detain, hold, immure, imprison, incarcerate, intern, jail, jug, lock (up); bind, enchain, fetter, handcuff, manacle, shackle, trammel; rearrest; remand

Near Antonyms emancipate, free, liberate, loose, loosen, release, spring; unbind, unchain

Antonyms discharge

5

to take physical control or possession of (something) suddenly or forcibly <the running back saw the pass coming in and nailed it>

Synonyms bag, capture, collar, cop [slang], corral, get, glom, grab, grapple, hook, land, nab, nail, net, nobble [British slang], rap, seize, snag, snap (up), snare, snatch, trap

Related Words glove, halter, lasso, rope; apprehend, arrest, detain; bay, corner; clasp, clutch, fasten (on), fist, grasp, grip, hold, latch (on or onto), secure; rend, wrest; enmesh (also immesh), ensnare, entangle, entrap, mesh; abduct, kidnap, spirit (away or off)

Near Antonyms discharge, free, liberate, release; drop, loosen, unhand

Antonyms miss