1
as in 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 decided
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 exposed
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 arrested
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 grabbed
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 nailed
The Ferrari driver nailed his start from pole and dominated the end of the sprint race in what was an impressive drive.
—
Luke Smith, The Athletic, 22 Mar. 2025
Anthony nailed the performance and never looked back as his music career took off, Tony said.
—Nathan Pilling, Kansas City Star, 22 Mar. 2025
Striking that right balance between dressy and dressed down is certainly an art—but luckily there’s a handful of celebrities who’ve recently nailed the look.
—Christian Allaire, Vogue, 21 Mar. 2025
Now, the graphics weren’t anything close to cinematic quality but the model nailed the mechanics of the game.
—John Winsor, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2025
Michael Kors has really nailed the whole accessible luxury thing.
—Glamour, 17 Mar. 2025
There's also the possibility that this wasn't a low-energy, glancing blow at all — that instead, the proto-Earth was spinning really quickly and then got nailed by Theia.
—Paul Sutter, Space.com, 17 Mar. 2025
In that season, the star pass catcher nailed the triple crown, leading the league with 145 receptions, 1,947 yards, and 16 touchdowns.
—Mark Davis, Newsweek, 14 Mar. 2025
Raw deliveries aside, TGL nailed the whole proof-of-concept thing by attracting a far younger audience than golf is used to reaching.
—Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 7 Mar. 2025
Luke Smith, The Athletic, 22 Mar. 2025
Anthony nailed the performance and never looked back as his music career took off, Tony said.
—Nathan Pilling, Kansas City Star, 22 Mar. 2025
Striking that right balance between dressy and dressed down is certainly an art—but luckily there’s a handful of celebrities who’ve recently nailed the look.
—Christian Allaire, Vogue, 21 Mar. 2025
Now, the graphics weren’t anything close to cinematic quality but the model nailed the mechanics of the game.
—John Winsor, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2025
Michael Kors has really nailed the whole accessible luxury thing.
—Glamour, 17 Mar. 2025
There's also the possibility that this wasn't a low-energy, glancing blow at all — that instead, the proto-Earth was spinning really quickly and then got nailed by Theia.
—Paul Sutter, Space.com, 17 Mar. 2025
In that season, the star pass catcher nailed the triple crown, leading the league with 145 receptions, 1,947 yards, and 16 touchdowns.
—Mark Davis, Newsweek, 14 Mar. 2025
Raw deliveries aside, TGL nailed the whole proof-of-concept thing by attracting a far younger audience than golf is used to reaching.
—Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 7 Mar. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nailed
Verb
-
More: Bourbon, other U.S. spirits could soon be hit with retaliatory EU tariffs.—
Olivia Evans,
The Courier-Journal,
25 July 2025
-
The floods that hit the Hill Country nearly three weeks ago killed dozens of young girls at Camp Mystic, many of whose families live in the Houston region.—
Bayliss Wagner,
Austin American Statesman,
25 July 2025
Verb
-
After careful consideration, David decided to step away.—
arkansasonline.com,
arkansasonline.com,
1 Mar. 2025
-
Horton decided to talk on the record, in part because she's left the legal profession.—
Carrie Johnson,
NPR,
1 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Every year, humans are exposed to tens of thousands of microplastics via food, beverages, packaging, coatings, and manufacturing.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
25 Mar. 2025
-
One of her bare legs is exposed, splayed out from beneath the sheets.—
Rachel Handler,
Vulture,
24 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Yella Beezy was also once arrested and charged with unlawful carrying of a weapon and possession of marijuana — charges which were later dismissed, according to court documents.—
Kimberlee Speakman,
People.com,
22 Mar. 2025
-
Howard was later arrested near the edge of campus after leaving the scene on foot, police said.—
Lillie Davidson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
22 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
The attacker then grabbed around $10 out of the victim’s pockets before fleeing on foot.—
Nicholas Williams,
New York Daily News,
9 Apr. 2025
-
The man allegedly grabbed the woman from behind and held a knife to her side before assaulting her on the sidewalk, police said, ABC News reports.—
KC Baker,
People.com,
9 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
And then the game itself smacked him like Zack Bolduc’s hit that knocked Hall upside down into the Blues bench.—
Phil Thompson,
Chicago Tribune,
1 Jan. 2025
-
She got smacked, but the ball went in.—
Benjamin Royer,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
Currently, there is no data on the containment status of the fire and the cause has yet to be determined.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacramento Bee,
25 Mar. 2025
-
Police determined that Brown's DNA matched the DNA found on the noose, according to a forensic report issued on March 10.—
Stepheny Price,
Fox News,
25 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Areas most prone to frostbite are uncovered skin and the extremities, such as hands and feet.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
5 Jan. 2025
-
Recent water quality monitoring has uncovered alarming levels of microbiological contamination, and a UN mission to displacement sites in Gaza City reports dire conditions in water, sanitation, and hygiene.—
Daphne Ewing-Chow,
Forbes,
5 Jan. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Nailed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nailed. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
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