NAILED Synonyms: 252 Similar and Opposite Words

nailed

verb

past tense of nail

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

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Relevance

as in decided

to make final, definite, or beyond dispute this latest infidelity nails it—I'm filing for divorce

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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

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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

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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

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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 nailed Andretti nailed a gnarly 450 splash on Rush through the table. — Ryan Gaydos Outkick, FOXNews.com, 23 Aug. 2026 After receiving the ball from an inbound pass with three seconds left in game 5, Jordan nailed the buzzer-beater while floating horizontally through the air near the free throw line. — Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 20 Aug. 2026 Pfeiffer got a pass on the right edge of the box, cut inside and nailed a shot with her left foot. — Michael Nowels, Mercury News, 10 Aug. 2026 Carey nailed her first two tumbling passes, drawing roars from her home crowd. — Caroline Price, Forbes.com, 9 Aug. 2026 Madelynn took pictures of me standing beside a sign nailed to a scaly tree. — Literary Hub, 6 Aug. 2026 The wearer of the yellow jersey was nailed on for another win, this time in a bunch sprint instead of a reduced pack. — Jessica Hopkins, New York Times, 2 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for nailed

Verb

Dramatic footage shows a torrent of water hitting at the Nepal-China border.

— Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 26 Aug. 2026
Parton earned dozens of top 10 country hits, and her professional ambitions grew along with her career.

— Jewly Hight, NPR, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of hit

Verb

While all of the women found their respective moment to shine, no one rose to the occasion quite like Luann de Lesseps, who seemingly decided on her own that Kyle’s white party would be the perfect backdrop for a cabaret performance like none other.

— Shamira Ibrahim, Vulture, 24 Aug. 2026
This family gathering comes just days after it was revealed that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have decided to formally relocate their residence back to Harry’s homeland.

— Diego Parrado, Vanity Fair, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of decided

Verb

Anyone in Livingston County who believes they've been exposed is asked to capture the bat, report the exposure by filling out a form on the health department's website and call department staff at 517‑552‑6882 for testing guidance and next steps.

— Nicholas Lentz, CBS News, 24 Aug. 2026
This development has only increased the chance of strikes breaking through defensive lines to hit already exposed forward bases.

— Alexander Langlois, The Orlando Sentinel, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of exposed

Verb

Police said one of the suspects arrested two days ago was expected to appear in court on Monday, while the other three would appear on a later date.

— ABC News, ABC News, 24 Aug. 2026
In 2021, a teen was arrested after wounding two students and injuring two others in a shooting at a high school in Newport News, Virginia.

— Cindy Von Quednow, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of arrested

Verb

This week, there was a major breakthrough when DNA provided by her sister, Burks, was determined to be a match, enabling investigators to finally identify the 1995 victim as Lydia.

— Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026
The hospital was run by Louisiana State University, which determined that Katrina left the building too damaged to reopen — an assessment that was disputed by some hospital staff and community members.

— JACK BROOK, ABC News, 28 Aug. 2026