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 best burgers in Los Angeles prove that the City of Angels has received—and nailed—the assignment.
—
Alanna Bennett, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 June 2026
Another came on a comebacker that nailed his right-pitching thumb in the fourth.
—Jeff Vorva, Chicago Tribune, 4 June 2026
We low-key think Genevieve might have nailed it.
—Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 3 June 2026
Taylor really nailed it with that description.
—Skyler Caruso, PEOPLE, 2 June 2026
On the playoff hole, Cole just missed his birdie attempt, then Henley nailed his from just under 5 feet.
—Lawrence Dow, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 31 May 2026
Lynch had pushed referee Jessica Carr in front of her as Ruca nailed a Sol Snatcher.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 31 May 2026
Whitfield completely nailed it that night.
—Brett Milano, Boston Herald, 29 May 2026
After each had nailed their eighth respective word, officials carried a sleek silver podium — with a buzzer on top — onto the stage, prompting huge gasps from the crowd.
—Rachel Treisman, NPR, 29 May 2026
Alanna Bennett, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 June 2026
Another came on a comebacker that nailed his right-pitching thumb in the fourth.
—Jeff Vorva, Chicago Tribune, 4 June 2026
We low-key think Genevieve might have nailed it.
—Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 3 June 2026
Taylor really nailed it with that description.
—Skyler Caruso, PEOPLE, 2 June 2026
On the playoff hole, Cole just missed his birdie attempt, then Henley nailed his from just under 5 feet.
—Lawrence Dow, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 31 May 2026
Lynch had pushed referee Jessica Carr in front of her as Ruca nailed a Sol Snatcher.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 31 May 2026
Whitfield completely nailed it that night.
—Brett Milano, Boston Herald, 29 May 2026
After each had nailed their eighth respective word, officials carried a sleek silver podium — with a buzzer on top — onto the stage, prompting huge gasps from the crowd.
—Rachel Treisman, NPR, 29 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nailed
Verb
-
Lightning hits the United States approximately 25 million times annually.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
13 June 2026
-
Right fielder Jung Hoo Lee saw his 18-game hitting streak, the longest active streak in the majors entering play, come to an end after going hitless in three at-bats.—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
13 June 2026
Verb
-
In March 2016, when the owners closed the restaurant, Joel decided to turn a setback into an opportunity.—
Ruben Vives,
Los Angeles Times,
7 June 2026
-
The pair decided to study the canyons — which are a six-hour drive from WCU in Gunnison — after reading about the recession of Powell and the canyons coming back to life.—
Elise Schmelzer,
Denver Post,
7 June 2026
Verb
-
Today, many Catholic homes, businesses and churches feature images of Jesus with his Sacred Heart exposed, often accompanied by flames, a cross and a crown of thorns to symbolize suffering love.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
10 June 2026
-
This training could benefit anyone who may be exposed to fewer periods of sustained focus as the world shifts toward greater engagement with endless scrolls of bite-size social media.—
Supreet Kaur,
Scientific American,
10 June 2026
Verb
-
That September, he was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence and possession of marijuana following a vehicle crash in San Jose.—
Michael McGough,
Sacbee.com,
14 June 2026
-
Three weeks into his third season, Smith was involved in a single-car accident and was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence and possession of marijuana.—
Nick Harris,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 June 2026
Verb
-
Cameron Brink added 15 points off the bench and Dearica Hamby grabbed 10 rebounds for the Sparks (6-6) in the Commissioner’s Cup game.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
11 June 2026
-
Cameron Brink added 15 points off the bench, Erica Wheeler scored 10 and Dearica Hamby grabbed 10 rebounds for the Sparks (6-6) in the Commissioner’s Cup game.—
Daily News,
Daily News,
11 June 2026
Verb
-
Llamas smacked 139 hits in her career, Kyles 136.—
Don Norcross,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
10 June 2026
-
In his first three games of the season, Bryant had 350 receiving yards to go along with four touchdowns, before an all-too familiar foe smacked him down with a brutal punishment.—
Austin Perry OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
9 June 2026
Verb
-
The punitive phase of the civil trial began Thursday, after jurors determined that Grossman had acted with malice and oppression and Erickson with malice, oppression or fraud.—
Richard Winton,
Los Angeles Times,
9 June 2026
-
Shorewood police, along with the Troy Fire Protection District, responded to the scene, where it was determined that the car backed into the store.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
9 June 2026
Verb
-
The company successfully appealed the decision to lower its safety rating by arguing its drivers could not have prevented many of the crashes investigators uncovered.—
Willoughby Mariano,
ProPublica,
8 June 2026
-
Also in the walk-in cooler, fried rice that complements many dishes sat uncovered.—
David J. Neal,
Miami Herald,
8 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nailed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nailed. Accessed 14 Jun. 2026.
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