Synonyms of nailed

nailed

verb

past tense of nail

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

• hit
• smacked
• slapped
• knocked
• slammed
• banged
• punched
• struck
• pounded
• whacked
• clapped
• clipped
• swiped
• cracked
• batted
• hammered
• kicked
• bashed
• thumped
• tapped
• licked
• swatted
• rapped
• poked
• shoved
• socked
• clobbered
• boxed
• pushed
• pasted
• thwacked
• jabbed
• bobbed
• clocked
• slugged
• flicked
• bludgeoned
• zapped
• bopped
• chopped
• busted
• stabbed
• tagged
• walloped
• smote
• belted
• whaled
• clouted
• biffed
• bonked
• bumped
• slogged
• stroked
• mauled
• beat
• lashed
• stamped
• mangled
• pummeled
• battered
• roughed
• peppered
• cuffed
• bunged
• buffeted
• laced
• slashed
• hung one on
• lambasted
• pelted
• decked
• whipped
• butted
• scuffed
• dumped
• bunted
• speared
• prodded
• drubbed
• creamed
• floored
• felled
• jostled
• clubbed
• switched
• flogged
• pommeled
• kneed
• leveled
• caned
• thrashed
• flailed
• conked
• knocked down
• sapped
• sledged
• sledgehammered
• beaned
• bowled (down or over)
• cudgeled
• sucker punched
• brained
• skulled
• rabbit-punched

2

as in decided

to make final, definite, or beyond dispute

this latest infidelity nails it—I'm filing for divorce

Synonyms & Similar Words

• decided
• determined
• settled
• clinched
• defined
• proved
• clarified
• established
• showed
• secured
• stated
• demonstrated
• affirmed
• assured
• specified
• finished
• ensured
• insured
• ended
• illuminated
• concluded
• nailed (down)
• stipulated
• cleared (up)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• confused
• muddled
• unsettled
• muddied

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

• exposed
• uncovered
• undressed
• unmasked
• debunked
• demolished
• disclosed
• showed up
• told
• disproved
• uncloaked
• discredited
• blew the whistle on
• unveiled
• divulged

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• disguised
• masked
• concealed
• hid
• camouflaged
• secreted
• veiled
• cloaked

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

• arrested
• seized
• grabbed
• apprehended
• restrained
• captured
• pinched
• nicked
• busted
• collared
• detained
• committed
• snatched
• nabbed
• caught
• ran in
• pulled in
• jailed
• picked up
• landed
• trapped
• hooked
• grappled
• snared
• bound
• imprisoned
• confined
• bagged
• handcuffed
• got
• held
• snapped (up)
• incarcerated
• shackled
• interned
• locked (up)
• fettered
• jugged
• immured
• manacled
• remanded
• trammeled
• enchained
• rearrested

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• discharged
• released
• sprang
• freed
• loosened
• liberated
• loosed
• emancipated
• unchained
• unbound

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

• grabbed
• caught
• snatched
• captured
• landed
• seized
• got
• snagged
• trapped
• rapped
• hooked
• netted
• nabbed
• snared
• corralled
• grappled
• bagged
• copped
• collared
• snapped (up)
• took hold (of)
• roped
• glommed
• grasped
• nobbled
• held
• clutched
• arrested
• secured
• apprehended
• gripped
• gloved
• cornered
• lassoed
• kidnapped
• clasped
• detained
• meshed
• fisted
• fastened (on)
• haltered
• ensnared
• wrested
• latched (on or onto)
• enmeshed
• entrapped
• abducted
• entangled
• rent
• bayed
• spirited (away or off)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• missed
• released
• discharged
• freed
• liberated
• dropped
• loosened
• unhanded

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of nailed

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

Corbin then nailed his End of Days finishing maneuver on Williams and pinned him for the win. — Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 3 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