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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of nail
So yeah, my parents absolutely nailed it this year.
—
Daphne Wilder, Miami Herald, 4 Sep. 2025
Getting Spot to nail a triple backflip, on a practical level, actually shares some similarities with training a real dog.
—Mack Degeurin, Popular Science, 3 Sep. 2025
The lack of reaction from Valdez after nailing his catcher in the stomach with a 93-mph fastball is rather telling.
—Andrew Wright, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025
In Debruge’s view, White nailed the assignment.
—Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 2 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for nail
Daphne Wilder, Miami Herald, 4 Sep. 2025
Getting Spot to nail a triple backflip, on a practical level, actually shares some similarities with training a real dog.
—Mack Degeurin, Popular Science, 3 Sep. 2025
The lack of reaction from Valdez after nailing his catcher in the stomach with a 93-mph fastball is rather telling.
—Andrew Wright, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025
In Debruge’s view, White nailed the assignment.
—Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 2 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for nail
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nail
Verb
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When the financial crisis hit in 2008, Mindy Fitzpatrick considered selling her family’s 6-acre wooded lot on Friendly Road.—
Lisa Cericola,
Southern Living,
9 Sep. 2025
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Sticker shock, though, is expected to hit when consumers shop for 2026 model year cars and trucks as more of those vehicles arrive at dealer lots, according to Cox Automotive.—
Susan Tompor,
USA Today,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Clinton has decided to join a direct rival even though City will not be competing in the Champions League this season.—
Charlotte Harpur,
New York Times,
6 Sep. 2025
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Related Stories When Ema disappears and tragedy is covered up, Daniel faces betrayal and decides to seek revenge before leaving.—
Emiliano De Pablos,
Variety,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
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With just 24 hours to decide the fate of the house, old resentments bubble up, secrets are exposed and shifting alliances test whatever bonds remain.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
10 Sep. 2025
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Cherry persuades Harriet to publicly expose Laura, to talk to journalists and manufacture a viral story.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Every Democratic politician must be arrested and the party banned under RICO [Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act].—
Chad de Guzman,
Time,
11 Sep. 2025
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Authorities arrested a man shortly after a bullet hit Kirk, Mason said during the news conference.—
Amanda Lee Myers,
USA Today,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Video surveillance from the scene posted online by Fox 11 shows a man lingering near a doorway, quickly grabbing the gift box from a table and running out of the venue.—
Natalie Neysa Alund,
USA Today,
9 Sep. 2025
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The owner wanted to keep the grab-and-go options previously offered in the space.—
La Risa R. Lynch,
jsonline.com,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Even 6 inches of swiftly moving water can forcefully knock you off your feet.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
5 Sep. 2025
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Even 6 inches of moving water can pose a serious risk of knocking you off your feet.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The Office of the Inspector General launched a criminal investigation and determined the shots had been fired from where two FBI agents and an Oregon State Police officer had been standing.—
Nicole Blanchard,
Idaho Statesman,
7 Sep. 2025
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The first thing her soon-to-be husband did was fly to North Carolina to bring their youngest daughter home from camp, determined to have the entire family together for the special day.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
PEOPLE,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Initially dismissed as an accident, Charles, Oliver and Mabel dive headfirst into the investigation, uncovering a sprawling conspiracy that stretches beyond the building’s walls and entangles New York’s old mob families with its newest billionaires.—
Samantha Stutsman,
PEOPLE,
9 Sep. 2025
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In the area of the bridge ruins, a number of other artifacts were also uncovered.—
Brendan Rascius,
Miami Herald,
9 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Nail.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nail. Accessed 12 Sep. 2025.
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