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
Nico Gramatica then nailed a 20-yard field goal as time expired.
—
Anna Lazarus Caplan, PEOPLE, 9 Sep. 2025
Yet, the true star of this portion of the show was Matt Duckworth, who absolutely nailed those powerhouse drum parts originally laid down by Sabbath’s mighty Bill Ward (aka, one of the greatest drummers in rock ‘n’ roll history).
—Jim Harrington, Mercury News, 8 Sep. 2025
By the time the Raiders’ marathon march ended, Daniel Carlson nailed a 40-yard field goal to extend their lead to two possessions.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 8 Sep. 2025
Ronnie Hart, her stylist, nailed this.
—Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 8 Sep. 2025
Well, at least punter Jeremy Crawshaw nailed his first punt, a 52-yarder.
—Joe Nguyen, Denver Post, 7 Sep. 2025
Seven plays later, Nico Gramatica nailed a 20-yard field goal to give South Florida the 18-16 win.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 7 Sep. 2025
And when Osaka, the four-time Grand Slam champion on a mission to regain her form of old, had to spin a second serve into the box, Anisimova reared back and nailed them for winners with the authority of someone on a mission.
—Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2025
In Debruge’s view, White nailed the assignment.
—Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 2 Sep. 2025
Anna Lazarus Caplan, PEOPLE, 9 Sep. 2025
Yet, the true star of this portion of the show was Matt Duckworth, who absolutely nailed those powerhouse drum parts originally laid down by Sabbath’s mighty Bill Ward (aka, one of the greatest drummers in rock ‘n’ roll history).
—Jim Harrington, Mercury News, 8 Sep. 2025
By the time the Raiders’ marathon march ended, Daniel Carlson nailed a 40-yard field goal to extend their lead to two possessions.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 8 Sep. 2025
Ronnie Hart, her stylist, nailed this.
—Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 8 Sep. 2025
Well, at least punter Jeremy Crawshaw nailed his first punt, a 52-yarder.
—Joe Nguyen, Denver Post, 7 Sep. 2025
Seven plays later, Nico Gramatica nailed a 20-yard field goal to give South Florida the 18-16 win.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 7 Sep. 2025
And when Osaka, the four-time Grand Slam champion on a mission to regain her form of old, had to spin a second serve into the box, Anisimova reared back and nailed them for winners with the authority of someone on a mission.
—Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2025
In Debruge’s view, White nailed the assignment.
—Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 2 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nailed
Verb
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When the financial crisis hit in 2008, Mindy Fitzpatrick considered selling her family’s 6-acre wooded lot on Friendly Road.—
Lisa Cericola,
Southern Living,
9 Sep. 2025
-
Sticker shock, though, is expected to hit when consumers shop for 2026 model year cars and trucks as more of those vehicles arrive at dealer lots, according to Cox Automotive.—
Susan Tompor,
USA Today,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The two reportedly worked on the tune during her lifetime for her final album, but the cut didn’t make the tracklist, so Gad decided to release it many years later.—
Hugh McIntyre,
Forbes.com,
14 Sep. 2025
-
Its pilots received authorization to shoot it down but decided not to open fire after assessing the collateral risks.—
Sophie Tanno,
CNN Money,
14 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Humans could be easily killed by radiation exposure, and the lack of atmospheric pressure on Mars or in orbit would cause a person’s blood to boil if they were exposed.—
Jackie Wattles,
CNN Money,
12 Sep. 2025
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Some of my friends were pressured to send inappropriate pictures, contacted by strangers, and exposed to content way beyond our age.—
Annabelle Canela,
Parents,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Bennett Lembke, a 34-year-old Caldwell resident, was arrested following a traffic stop in Thurston County, Washington, after Boise police identified him as the suspect and issued a warrant, the agency said in a news release Thursday evening.—
Alex Brizee,
Idaho Statesman,
12 Sep. 2025
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Fort Worth police arrested him on suspicion of two offenses.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
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One partygoer grabbed a fragrance and practically bathed in the smokey orange accords of Rendez-Vous Ivory.—
Essence,
Essence,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Natalia’s story grabbed the attention of the public in 2019 when Indiana prosecutors leveled charges against the Barnetts for allegedly neglecting a dependent.—
Lynsey Eidell,
PEOPLE,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Mesa smacked his first career MLB home run — a three-run blast 394 feet to right field — to provide the highlight of the night for the Marlins, who watched the Nationals circle the bases for most of the game.—
Steve Gorten,
Miami Herald,
8 Sep. 2025
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Continue reading … CROSSING THE LINE – Ravens' Lamar Jackson retaliates against fan after being smacked in helmet.—
,
FOXNews.com,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Older Americans clearly need protection, and Tejasvi was determined to provide it.—
Jeffrey Kluger,
Time,
9 Sep. 2025
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Tylee's remains were dismembered and so badly burned that her cause of death couldn't be determined, according to Business Insider.—
Jessica Sager,
PEOPLE,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
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In the last few years, researchers have stumbled upon baffling signals from deep space, uncovered strange features hiding beneath our oceans, and found clues that hint at life’s secrets on other worlds.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
11 Sep. 2025
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College basketball players banned for sports betting The NCAA issued a permanent ban to three men’s basketball players after an investigation uncovered that they were involved in sports betting.—
Alexandra Banner,
CNN Money,
11 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Nailed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nailed. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.
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