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
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of nail
Finding the best bangs style for your face shape is crucial for nailing the haircut trend.
—
Nicole Catanese, InStyle, 10 Mar. 2026
Summers converted a pair of layups off steals and nailed a 3-pointer in a signature quarter.
—Tom Mulherin, Boston Herald, 9 Mar. 2026
Joy Randolph, Ke Huy Quan and Daniel Kaluuya nailed the assignment in recent years, giving speeches that struck an endearing balance of humor and sincerity, but always with a dash of the unexpected.
—Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 8 Mar. 2026
Second baseman Donovan Walton made a nice pick of catcher Sebastian Rivero’s throw in the dirt, nailing a runner stealing second.
—Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 8 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for nail
Nicole Catanese, InStyle, 10 Mar. 2026
Summers converted a pair of layups off steals and nailed a 3-pointer in a signature quarter.
—Tom Mulherin, Boston Herald, 9 Mar. 2026
Joy Randolph, Ke Huy Quan and Daniel Kaluuya nailed the assignment in recent years, giving speeches that struck an endearing balance of humor and sincerity, but always with a dash of the unexpected.
—Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 8 Mar. 2026
Second baseman Donovan Walton made a nice pick of catcher Sebastian Rivero’s throw in the dirt, nailing a runner stealing second.
—Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 8 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for nail
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nail
Verb
-
The mobile margarita bar in an an old VW van was an Instagram hit - and served a pretty perfect cocktail.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
14 Mar. 2026
-
The Big 12 player of the year hit the game-winner from the right side — while also falling to his right with the Cyclones’ Killyan Toure closely guarding.—
Blair Kerkhoff,
Kansas City Star,
14 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
David Nichols, a neuroscientist who is an expert on psychedelics, told me about a woman with alcohol-use disorder who realized during a psilocybin trip that her drinking was harming her children and decided to stop.—
Clayton Dalton,
New Yorker,
13 Mar. 2026
-
But deciding how that system should evolve, how data should flow, how governance must adapt, and how compliance risk is mitigated requires human reasoning.—
Milan Shetti,
Fortune,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Those at greatest risk of having latent TB become an active infection are those who’ve been exposed to someone with active TB, people who have weakened immune systems from diseases such as HIV and diabetes, and young children under 5 years old.—
Chase Hunter,
Mercury News,
9 Mar. 2026
-
His 1973 testimony during Watergate investigations exposed the recordings that documented Nixon’s involvement in the cover-up and ultimately led to his resignation.—
Douglass K. Daniel,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
They were arrested hours after the attack and later appeared in a Moscow court with signs of being severely beaten.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
13 Mar. 2026
-
According to Philadelphia police, Fanning, 60, was arrested for the assault Monday night on the 9600 block of Milnor Street in the city's Torresdale neighborhood.—
Tom Ignudo,
CBS News,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Heo re-holstered his Taser, intending to apprehend Best by grabbing or tackling him, Prescott said.—
Kellie Love,
Hartford Courant,
9 Mar. 2026
-
While the two men struggle with the jammed backdoor, Weisz’s character tosses them both a look before rushing toward the flames to grab her unfinished manuscript, written on legal pads, and dashing out of the cabin just in time.—
Meg Walters,
Glamour,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
With the combination of rising oil prices, and the demand knocking at Moscow's door, Vladimir Vladimirovich's war against Ukraine might could be much better funded for the rest of the year.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
11 Mar. 2026
-
Even 6 inches of swiftly moving water can forcefully knock you off your feet.—
STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The researchers suggest that more high-resolution observations will be needed to determine whether this phenomenon is common.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
15 Mar. 2026
-
Farr’s next of kin was notified, and the cause and manner of her death will be determined by a forensic pathologist following an autopsy and toxicology testing.—
Nollyanne Delacruz,
Mercury News,
15 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Federal investigators said their review uncovered broader violations, concluding the district also allowed male students to access female-only facilities and compete on girls teams.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
14 Mar. 2026
-
Some guacamole was uncovered in the cooler, employees hadn’t completed an accredited food course and water in the hand sink and three-compartment sink didn’t reach an acceptable temperature.—
Harriet Ramos,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nail.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nail. Accessed 15 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
