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
For me, the feeling of nailing a big, screen-clearing combo while the music swells to a crescendo is well worth the grind.
—
PC Magazine, 4 Nov. 2025
Nonetheless, Carolina upset the Packers, 16-13, with Fitzgerald nailing the game-winning 49-yarder.
—Chris Bumbaca, USA Today, 3 Nov. 2025
The Netherlands international is nailed to start, and has some goal threat too.
—Abdul Rehman, New York Times, 3 Nov. 2025
On the fifth attempt, Jeppe Tverskov also sent his shot too high, nailing the crossbar and leaving the door open for Portland.
—Austin White, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for nail
PC Magazine, 4 Nov. 2025
Nonetheless, Carolina upset the Packers, 16-13, with Fitzgerald nailing the game-winning 49-yarder.
—Chris Bumbaca, USA Today, 3 Nov. 2025
The Netherlands international is nailed to start, and has some goal threat too.
—Abdul Rehman, New York Times, 3 Nov. 2025
On the fifth attempt, Jeppe Tverskov also sent his shot too high, nailing the crossbar and leaving the door open for Portland.
—Austin White, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for nail
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nail
Verb
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Shein—a global fast-fashion juggernaut headquartered in Singapore—was mere days away from opening its first physical store in Paris, inside the BHV Marais department store, when the news hit.—
Andrew Nusca,
Fortune,
4 Nov. 2025
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Rojas, a light-hitting infielder, hit an unexpected home run in the ninth inning of Game Seven to tie it and force extra innings, when the Dodgers won it.—
Steve Futterman,
NPR,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Last year, the new group of commissioners decided to bring back Nadine Jarmon as the housing authority's executive director.—
Joseph Flaherty,
Arkansas Online,
8 Nov. 2025
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El Dorado County voters also decided three Zone of Benefit tax measures on Tuesday.—
Daniel Hunt,
Sacbee.com,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Satire is brilliant for exposing the folly of humans, especially those in power and those working in bad faith—the hypocrites and the frauds—and can be particularly potent when set in irrational or dystopic times.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
5 Nov. 2025
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The devices that perform this conversion typically use anion exchange membranes, which are prone to degradation when exposed to organic materials.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The man was arrested by authorities, said Mexico City mayor, Clara Brugada.—
Ellie Cook,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
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Mount Ida Mayor Vann Morgan was arrested Tuesday after, auditors said, he was overpaid by more than $94,000 over a 17-month period.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The woman’s mother then reportedly grabbed Crouch to keep him away from her daughter, causing Crouch to allegedly begin attacking the victim, the affidavit said.—
Julia Bonavita,
FOXNews.com,
3 Nov. 2025
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Again, hopefully, Foxx was able to relax a little, grab some rays and just breathe.—
Madeleine Marr,
Miami Herald,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Police geared up and stormed the compound, using a hoe to knock the padlock off a door inside.—
Mick Krever,
CNN Money,
6 Nov. 2025
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The right words can open doors the heart’s been knocking on for a while.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Someone who is unable to work in mainstream punditry because his face no longer fits, but is determined to raise standards among those who do as an outside agitator.—
Greg O'Keeffe,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
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Pay attention to frost dates, rainfall, and snow levels to determine when to mulch and how deeply.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Tour the city’s downtown area with Haunted Saratoga Ghost Tour to learn all about the spirits who haunt the old Canfield Casino and Hattie’s restaurant, uncover the legend of the Witch of Saratoga, and test your bravery by taking a seat in the Saratoga Springs Devil’s Chair.—
Cat Sposato,
Travel + Leisure,
4 Nov. 2025
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But everyone is lying and there are secrets to be uncovered.—
Lexy Perez,
HollywoodReporter,
4 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Nail.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nail. Accessed 9 Nov. 2025.
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