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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
Kitsch without meaning is just clutter, so take your time building a look that feels sentimental and nostalgic to really nail the style.
—
Cori Sears, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Jan. 2026
The Gators led by three before Trent Burns nailed a buzzer-beating 3.
—Maddie Hartley, Kansas City Star, 4 Jan. 2026
This is a practically perfect translation, capturing the books’ madness, eccentric humor, and darkly inventive imagination — and Harris, of course, nails it.
—Will Harris, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Jan. 2026
Wil Lutz nails the 24-yard field goal.
—Joe Nguyen, Denver Post, 4 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for nail
Cori Sears, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Jan. 2026
The Gators led by three before Trent Burns nailed a buzzer-beating 3.
—Maddie Hartley, Kansas City Star, 4 Jan. 2026
This is a practically perfect translation, capturing the books’ madness, eccentric humor, and darkly inventive imagination — and Harris, of course, nails it.
—Will Harris, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Jan. 2026
Wil Lutz nails the 24-yard field goal.
—Joe Nguyen, Denver Post, 4 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for nail
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nail
Verb
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Stevens said the loss of Lea’e’s father hit the team hard.—
John Maffei,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 Jan. 2026
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Minnesota guard Cade Tyson hit a game-tying 3-pointer with five seconds left, but Wisconsin counterpart John Blackwell sank a game-winning trey at the buzzer for a 78-75 win at Williams Arena.—
Andy Greder,
Twin Cities,
14 Jan. 2026
Verb
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This past Christmas, as a meaningful and nostalgic compromise, the McAlarneys and a group of other parents from their daughter Maddie's second-grade class all decided to get their children Tin Can landline phones for Christmas.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
PEOPLE,
11 Jan. 2026
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Shanahan and Fangio are considered some of the best offensive and defensive play callers in the sport, and the matchup could decide who moves on to the divisional round.—
Tom Ignudo,
CBS News,
11 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The war in Ukraine exposes these trans-Atlantic strains most acutely.—
Daniel Ross Goodman,
The Washington Examiner,
9 Jan. 2026
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The system targets people exposed to constant stimulation, including healthcare workers, corporate employees, athletes, and military personnel.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Deputies arrested Sargent on Thursday on two felony animal-cruelty counts and one misdemeanor count.—
David Goodhue,
Miami Herald,
9 Jan. 2026
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Byron Sigcho-Lopez (25th) demanded that if and when Customs and Border Protection Commander Gregory Bovino returns to Chicago, he should be arrested.—
Jermont Terry,
CBS News,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Start your very own love affair with Outcrease Retinol Trifecta Serum by grabbing a bottle today, and check out some of Dermelect’s other skin correcting serums and facial oils below.—
Michelle Baricevic,
InStyle,
14 Jan. 2026
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Madison outrebounded Point Loma 36-24, with Stevens grabbing seven and Moore five.—
John Maffei,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Even 6 inches of moving water can pose a serious risk of knocking you off your feet.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
10 Jan. 2026
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Key's Jerry is a disruption through and through, knocking everything just a little off-kilter with each volatile appearance.—
Shania Russell,
Entertainment Weekly,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The chairman warned that the outcome of the investigation will determine the future of the central bank’s decisions.—
Dan Mangan,
CNBC,
12 Jan. 2026
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Back in October, the Golden Globes announced a longer list of 25 shows eligible for these first-ever podcast nominations, determined by the Globes' data partner, Luminate.—
Brenton Blanchet,
PEOPLE,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Netflix uncovered release dates and fresh looks for a number of projects from its 2026 film slate, including sneak peeks at Millie Bobby Brown in Enola Holmes 3 and John Cena in the comedy Little Brother.—
Ryan Gajewski,
HollywoodReporter,
7 Jan. 2026
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Local journalism, formerly the institution most responsible for uncovering wrongdoing, has been gutted.—
Brandon Rottinghaus,
Washington Post,
7 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nail.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nail. Accessed 16 Jan. 2026.
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