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 of nail 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, zapWords Related to nail 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 of nail decide, determine, clinch, settleWords Related to nail demonstrate, establish, clinch (down), prove, show; affirm, assure, ensure, insure, secure; define, specify, state, stipulate; clarify, clear (up), illuminate; conclude, end, finishNear Antonyms of nail 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 of nail debunk, expose, show up, uncloak, uncover, undress, unmaskWords Related to nail demolish, discredit, disprove; disclose, divulge, tell, unveilNear Antonyms of nail conceal, hide, secrete, veilAntonyms of nail 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 of nail apprehend, bust [slang], collar, nab, arrest, nick [British slang], pick up, pinch, pull in, restrain, run in, seizeWords Related to nail 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 of nail emancipate, free, liberate, loose, loosen, release, spring; unbind, unchainAntonyms of nail 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 of nail 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, trapWords Related to nail 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 of nail discharge, free, liberate, release; drop, loosen, unhandAntonyms of nail miss