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
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Recent Examples of nail
The rookie sharpshooter nailed a huge 3-pointer during the comeback in the fourth — fittingly assisted by Leger-Walker — but finished just 1-for-6 from the field and 1-for-3 beyond the arc.
—
Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 30 Apr. 2026
Charlotte’s new to the postseason after years in the wilderness but has righted its ship not only through bringing in a strong front office and coaching staff, but by nailing recent drafts, most recently with 2025 first-round pick Kon Knueppel.
—David Aldridge, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2026
Stripes are a prominent feature of many of the vintage activewear trends that caught my eye, and the new Vuori Seamless Euphoric Tank nails the look with a pop of blue lining the otherwise simple top.
—Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 27 Apr. 2026
Santana nailed Swaan with Spin the Block and pinned him for the win.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 27 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for nail
Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 30 Apr. 2026
Charlotte’s new to the postseason after years in the wilderness but has righted its ship not only through bringing in a strong front office and coaching staff, but by nailing recent drafts, most recently with 2025 first-round pick Kon Knueppel.
—David Aldridge, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2026
Stripes are a prominent feature of many of the vintage activewear trends that caught my eye, and the new Vuori Seamless Euphoric Tank nails the look with a pop of blue lining the otherwise simple top.
—Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 27 Apr. 2026
Santana nailed Swaan with Spin the Block and pinned him for the win.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 27 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for nail
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nail
Verb
-
Carson Richter hit a grand slam for Newbury Park.—
Eric Sondheimer,
Los Angeles Times,
2 May 2026
-
Austin Hays then hit a grounder to third baseman Manny Machado.—
LaMond Pope,
Chicago Tribune,
2 May 2026
Verb
-
The Padres got a force at second base while Meidroth decided to take off for home.—
LaMond Pope,
Chicago Tribune,
2 May 2026
-
Unlike many of her peers, Pau decided to maintain a professional day job while pursuing her artistic practice.—
Pauline J. Yao,
Artforum,
2 May 2026
Verb
-
The basketball star arrived at the gala in a blush pink dress, with one shoulder exposed and the other covered by a sleeve, complete with a train.—
Dalila Muata,
NBC news,
5 May 2026
-
South Africa's National Institute for Communicable Diseases, meanwhile, was conducting contact tracing in the Johannesburg region to identify if other people in South Africa were exposed to the infected cruise ship passengers.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
4 May 2026
Verb
-
Last month, Spears was arrested in Westlake Village by the California Highway Patrol.—
Emily St. Martin,
Los Angeles Times,
1 May 2026
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The man accused of murdering him was arrested and charged less than a week later.—
Luke Parker,
Baltimore Sun,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Mikal Bridges grabbed the offensive rebound and threw it out to Jalen Brunson.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
5 May 2026
-
The director also grabbed images on the fly, using his iPhone during location scouting to get close-ups of the insects and on set during forest chases.—
Stuart Miller,
Los Angeles Times,
4 May 2026
Verb
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At that house, no one answered a Statesman reporter’s knocks on Monday, but Davidson told the Statesman that his family owns the whole lot.—
Idaho Statesman,
Idaho Statesman,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Alex Hebda, of Wheatfield, and Chris Mercaldo, of Valparaiso, were knocking the balls around the pool table.—
Doug Ross,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO), which investigates complaints about the NHS, determined that a local health body was denying women, but not men, funding for sterilization.—
Sophie Tanno,
CNN Money,
2 May 2026
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Their protections may have been further eroded with a precedent decision recently in which the Board of Immigration Appeals determined that DACA status alone is not enough to stop deportation.—
Hallie Golden,
Los Angeles Times,
2 May 2026
Verb
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In January 2021, police followed Muirhead's tip about the Red Bull can and uncovered Parsons' remains.—
Jessica Sager,
PEOPLE,
2 May 2026
-
According to the warrant affidavits in the latest arrests, police allegedly uncovered five additional incidents involving four more victims between 3 and 5 years old.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
2 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nail.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nail. Accessed 8 May. 2026.
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