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
Nick Folk nailed a field goal as the second quarter ended.
—
Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 30 Sep. 2025
There’s no doubt that Posey nailed the big moves as a rookie baseball architect.
—Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025
The Irishman nailed it and went berserk, running around the green and jumping into the arms of his caddie and anyone else who’d have him.
—Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 28 Sep. 2025
Levi nailed the audition, and later in production, Kay (who previously had a cameo in 2011's Bernie) joined The Lost Bus in a small role as Matthew's onscreen mom, too.
—Andrea Mandell, PEOPLE, 28 Sep. 2025
Placekicker Harrison Butker nailed the field-goal try and, now trailing by just a touchdown, Kansas City had life.
—Pete Sweeney, Kansas City Star, 26 Sep. 2025
To the late-night host's surprise, the duo nailed almost every singer after a single listen — Cynthia Erivo, Whitney Houston, Celine Dion, and Mariah Carey — prompting Meyers to take quite a few shots.
—Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 24 Sep. 2025
Star defensive end Nick Bosa suffered a knee injury in the 16-15 win, but backup quarterback Mac Jones led a late drive that became a game-winner when Eddy Piñeiro nailed a 35-yarder as time expired.
—Michael Nowels, Mercury News, 22 Sep. 2025
Carter Davis is 4 for 4, hit the go-ahead field goal late against Notre Dame and nailed a career-long 53-yarder against Florida.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 22 Sep. 2025
Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 30 Sep. 2025
There’s no doubt that Posey nailed the big moves as a rookie baseball architect.
—Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025
The Irishman nailed it and went berserk, running around the green and jumping into the arms of his caddie and anyone else who’d have him.
—Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 28 Sep. 2025
Levi nailed the audition, and later in production, Kay (who previously had a cameo in 2011's Bernie) joined The Lost Bus in a small role as Matthew's onscreen mom, too.
—Andrea Mandell, PEOPLE, 28 Sep. 2025
Placekicker Harrison Butker nailed the field-goal try and, now trailing by just a touchdown, Kansas City had life.
—Pete Sweeney, Kansas City Star, 26 Sep. 2025
To the late-night host's surprise, the duo nailed almost every singer after a single listen — Cynthia Erivo, Whitney Houston, Celine Dion, and Mariah Carey — prompting Meyers to take quite a few shots.
—Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 24 Sep. 2025
Star defensive end Nick Bosa suffered a knee injury in the 16-15 win, but backup quarterback Mac Jones led a late drive that became a game-winner when Eddy Piñeiro nailed a 35-yarder as time expired.
—Michael Nowels, Mercury News, 22 Sep. 2025
Carter Davis is 4 for 4, hit the go-ahead field goal late against Notre Dame and nailed a career-long 53-yarder against Florida.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 22 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nailed
Verb
-
The newer versions can hit stationary and moving targets at sea.—
Gary Robbins,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
30 Sep. 2025
-
His termination notice came just over a week after reporting he had been hit by a car while on duty.—
Andi Babineau,
CNN Money,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Eighteen nations are already guaranteed a spot in the tournament next June and July, meaning there are 30 (yes, 30) still to be decided.—
Tim Spiers,
New York Times,
6 Oct. 2025
-
Hundreds of thousands of the paper’s readers abandoned it last year when Bezos decided not to endorse in the presidential election and to overhaul the opinion section.—
Max Tani,
semafor.com,
6 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Food stored where exposed to splash, dust, or other contamination.—
Gege Reed,
Louisville Courier Journal,
3 Oct. 2025
-
The market still trades as if the pros don’t feel exposed enough to stocks, and strategists have had to pursue the index higher after the springtime confidence crash reversed faster than expected.—
Michael Santoli,
CNBC,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
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He was arrested in November 1957 after the body of local hardware store owner and shopkeeper Bernice Worden, 58, was found hanging from hooks and mutilated in his shed.—
JR Radcliffe,
USA Today,
4 Oct. 2025
-
Ongoing litigation In recent months, more than 400 Venezuelans with TPS have been arrested during ICE check-ins and traffic stops, even though the protections were supposed to be in place before Friday’s ruling.—
Syra Ortiz Blanes,
Miami Herald,
4 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The incident occurred near 87th Avenue and Van Buren Street when a man grabbed a girl by the arm.—
Wren Smetana,
AZCentral.com,
3 Oct. 2025
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Riddle then grabbed Quirke by the collar and threw him down onto a table before walking off the set with a TMZ championship belt.—
Andrew Ravens,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
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James Outman and Ryan Fitzgerald also smacked solo shots, and Jeffers doubled in a run.—
Dan Hayes,
New York Times,
28 Sep. 2025
-
Linklater took a more aggressive directorial tack than usual, pushing Hawke to subtract any mannerisms that smacked too much of himself.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
27 Sep. 2025
Verb
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In May of 2024, after the car's design had been finalized by everyone up the chain of command at Ford, the test team in Germany determined the GTD needed a little more front grip.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
29 Sep. 2025
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What’s clear is that the power of that institution is now in the hands of hacks who clock in every single morning determined solely to purge this country of any citizen who ever dared to challenge or dislike this president.—
Billy Ray,
Deadline,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Crab in chest freezer has a build up of ice and is uncovered.—
Gege Reed,
Louisville Courier Journal,
3 Oct. 2025
-
Colossal cosmic structures Alongside this record-breaking ORC, two other cosmic giants were uncovered.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
2 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Nailed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nailed. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.
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