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
-
The Rockies’ Kyle Karros hit an opposite-field line drive that carried to the right-field warning track, but Lee tracked down the potential extra-base hit on the run, then crashed into the chain-link portion of the fence.—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
30 May 2026
-
The hitting coaches have been really emphasizing it.—
Jeff Fletcher,
Oc Register,
30 May 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
-
Baltimore Police say Lunn was arrested less than a week later, after a person who saw a Metro Crime Stoppers flyer on the news called in a tip.—
CBS Baltimore Staff,
CBS News,
7 June 2026
-
Alvarez, his brother and his mother were arrested later that year.—
Stephanie Nolasco,
FOXNews.com,
6 June 2026
Verb
-
He's also grabbed 10 rebounds and dished out 4 assists.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
4 June 2026
-
Spurs reserve Harrison Barnes accidentally collided with Brunson's right knee while falling to the floor, and the Knicks star immediately grabbed at the leg in apparent pain.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
4 June 2026
Verb
-
Tech infielder Alex Hernandez, who starred in the ACC championship game last weekend, smacked a game-tying two-run homer before an out was recorded in the bottom of the frame.—
Gabriel Burns,
AJC.com,
29 May 2026
-
In a 3-2 second-round win against La Costa Canyon, Point Loma smacked two solo homers in the bottom of the seventh.—
Don Norcross,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 May 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 11 Jun. 2026.
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