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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, hit, paste, pound, punch, rap, slam, slap, slog, slug, smack, smite, sock, strike, swat, swipe, tag, thump, thwack, wallop, whack, whale, zapRelated 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, clinch, settleRelated Words demonstrate, establish, clinch (down), prove, show; affirm, assure, ensure, insure, secure; define, specify, state, stipulate; clarify, clear (up), illuminate; conclude, end, finishNear 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, expose, show up, uncloak, uncover, undress, unmaskRelated Words demolish, discredit, disprove; disclose, divulge, tell, unveilNear Antonyms conceal, hide, secrete, veilAntonyms 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, arrest, nick [British slang], pick up, pinch, pull in, restrain, run in, seizeRelated 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; remandNear Antonyms emancipate, free, liberate, loose, loosen, release, spring; unbind, unchainAntonyms 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, catch, net, nobble [British slang], rap, seize, snag, snap (up), snare, snatch, trapRelated 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, unhandAntonyms miss