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
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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
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of nail
Few writers have nailed the interpersonal thriller better than Kitamura.
—
Joumana Khatib, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2025
But a few hours later, there was Thomson’s steady catcher spinning around and pumping his right fist after nailing Shohei Ohtani at second base to end the eighth inning.
—Matt Gelb, New York Times, 5 Apr. 2025
Hoffman nails every beat of this scene, always appearing in full control but also considerate and loving.
—Erin Qualey, Vulture, 4 Apr. 2025
The nostalgic origins Korean jelly nails The allure of shiny, glittery, watery nails for spring and summer is easy to understand—on TikTok alone, #jellynails already boasts more than 20,000 entries and counting.
—Irene Coltrinari, Vogue, 4 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for nail
Joumana Khatib, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2025
But a few hours later, there was Thomson’s steady catcher spinning around and pumping his right fist after nailing Shohei Ohtani at second base to end the eighth inning.
—Matt Gelb, New York Times, 5 Apr. 2025
Hoffman nails every beat of this scene, always appearing in full control but also considerate and loving.
—Erin Qualey, Vulture, 4 Apr. 2025
The nostalgic origins Korean jelly nails The allure of shiny, glittery, watery nails for spring and summer is easy to understand—on TikTok alone, #jellynails already boasts more than 20,000 entries and counting.
—Irene Coltrinari, Vogue, 4 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for nail
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nail
Verb
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On Becoming a Guinea Fowl will hit streaming on Friday, July 4, making its linear debut on HBO on Monday, July 7 at 8:00 p.m. ET.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
18 June 2025
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The 45-year-old was acquitted of charges stemming from her being accused of leaving her boyfriend, John O’Keefe, in the snow after hitting him with her car outside a party, and of leaving the scene of an accident, causing death.—
Ross O'Keefe,
The Washington Examiner,
18 June 2025
Verb
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The deciding game of the series will be played on Sunday afternoon.—
Jaylon Thompson,
Kansas City Star,
22 June 2025
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And if the Iranians decide to expand this, then that's ultimately their decision.—
Hannah Demissie,
ABC News,
22 June 2025
Verb
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The reason is simple: chaos exposes inefficiencies and bold opportunities.—
Victoria Chynoweth,
Rolling Stone,
17 June 2025
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The polarizing Talbott’s underdeveloped ground game was exposed against Barcelos.—
Brian Mazique,
Forbes.com,
17 June 2025
Verb
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Her estranged husband, Fotis Dulos, was initially arrested in June 2019, along with Troconis, and charged with tampering with evidence and hindering prosecution.—
Theresa Braine,
New York Daily News,
19 June 2025
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Police arrested and removed nearly a dozen union workers protesting Mayor Daniel Lurie during a San Francisco City Hall meeting on Tuesday, showing the new mayor’s rocky relationship with Big Labor.—
Barnini Chakraborty,
The Washington Examiner,
18 June 2025
Verb
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In the few months since its launch, JD.com has grabbed 7.5% of China’s food-delivery market after its daily meal orders reached 20 million on May 13, according to a May 14 research note from Blue Lotus Capital Advisors.—
Yue Wang,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2025
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To help keep your home safe (and know when your Prime Day packages arrive), grab a Ring Battery Doorbell with Indoor Cam for under $150.—
Laura Lu,
Parents,
17 June 2025
Verb
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Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark got hit in the eye and knocked to the ground, while also doing some shoving of her own, during a testy and physical game against the Connecticut Sun on Tuesday night in Indianapolis.—
Chuck Schilken,
Los Angeles Times,
18 June 2025
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Marc Lopez, a former prosecutor who is currently a defense attorney specializing in domestic violence and drunk driving cases in Indianapolis, said there are very few circumstances in which an officer will knock on your door out of nowhere and need to get inside.—
Amanda Lee Myers,
USA Today,
18 June 2025
Verb
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Kyoto attracts 75 million annual visitors to its 1,000 Buddhist temples and was cited in 1.2 million online searches and 23 million hashtags, the study determined.—
Gary Stoller,
Forbes.com,
25 June 2025
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The team also aims to determine the impact of specific types of oils.—
Melissa Rudy,
FOXNews.com,
25 June 2025
Verb
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What stood out was how specific improvements uncovered weaknesses in the overall risk approach.—
Dimitar Dimitrov,
Forbes.com,
16 June 2025
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Reduce heat to medium and boil steadily, uncovered, until potatoes are very tender, about 20 minutes.—
Ann Taylor Pittman,
Southern Living,
16 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Nail.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nail. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.
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