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
Relevance
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
And pan pizza, the name of which derives from the high-sided vessel it’s baked in, can be harder to nail than a traditional thinner crust.
—
Emily Heil, Washington Post, 17 Feb. 2026
Hemingway never got to meet Hannah while prepping for the show, but did work closely with a dialect coach to nail her voice, as well as read and watch interviews with the actress.
—Leigh Nordstrom, Footwear News, 17 Feb. 2026
There's just no nailing him down whatsoever.
—Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 17 Feb. 2026
Frostad had the lead through most of the 12-man final after nailing two massive jumps.
—ABC News, 17 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for nail
Emily Heil, Washington Post, 17 Feb. 2026
Hemingway never got to meet Hannah while prepping for the show, but did work closely with a dialect coach to nail her voice, as well as read and watch interviews with the actress.
—Leigh Nordstrom, Footwear News, 17 Feb. 2026
There's just no nailing him down whatsoever.
—Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 17 Feb. 2026
Frostad had the lead through most of the 12-man final after nailing two massive jumps.
—ABC News, 17 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for nail
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nail
Verb
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Elsewhere, stories of economic gloom – from galloping inflation to restaurant closures and the knock-on impact of severe tax increases – describe the many ways in which the prolonged war in Ukraine is now hitting Russians hard in the pocket at home.—
Matthew Chance,
CNN Money,
21 Feb. 2026
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Finally, Kylie Minogue bags another top 40 hit thanks to the release of Tension Tour/Live 2025 (Mushroom Music) on CD and vinyl.—
Lars Brandle,
Billboard,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
In June, county voters will decide whether to back it.—
Paris Barraza,
USA Today,
21 Feb. 2026
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Yet it’s left largely to each state to decide how much infectious disease reporting to require about it.—
Jennifer Berry Hawes,
CNN Money,
21 Feb. 2026
Verb
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That designation means using or being exposed to the products may cause temporary or medically reversible health problems, and the risk of serious injury is considered low.—
Fernando Cervantes Jr,
USA Today,
17 Feb. 2026
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Dust icily exposes how character can evaporate in the crucible of greed, but the plodding pace makes this ethical exercise feel attenuated and flat by the time the climax rolls around.—
Leslie Felperin,
HollywoodReporter,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Murphy had been jailed since March 2021 when he was arrested on suspicion of killing his wife, Whitney Murphy, at their rural home in 2014 to collect life insurance money.—
Kevin Fixler,
Idaho Statesman,
20 Feb. 2026
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Jones was arrested 15 years after his former teammate’s killing and has pleaded not guilty.—
Sofia Saric,
Miami Herald,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
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On Friday night, Harry and Meghan grabbed dinner at Funke in Beverly Hills, where Meghan celebrated her 44th birthday last August.—
Rachel Burchfield,
InStyle,
16 Feb. 2026
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Man, like when your hair starts grabbing at your collar.—
John Nogowski,
Hartford Courant,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Even 6 inches of swiftly moving water can forcefully knock you off your feet.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
17 Feb. 2026
-
Even just 6 inches of swiftly moving water can forcefully knock you off your feet.—
Mobile Web,
Mercury News,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Its outcome could help determine how those other cases are resolved.—
Clare Duffy,
CNN Money,
22 Feb. 2026
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Horst has reluctantly postponed Serafini’s sentencing three times in the past several months, because the judge had to first hear testimony and arguments to determine whether to grant Serafini a new trial.—
Rosalio Ahumada,
Sacbee.com,
21 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Anorthosite is rarely uncovered on Earth in isolation, usually existing as a mineral component of other rocks.—
Ashley Strickland,
CNN Money,
21 Feb. 2026
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The challenge is uncovering the true need.—
Allen Buchanan,
Oc Register,
21 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nail.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nail. Accessed 23 Feb. 2026.
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