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
Over the past few years, McLaren has nailed that correlation problem, causing all of its upgrade packages to add performance.
—
Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 4 May 2026
Tommy had nailed me and nailed me good.
—Chang-Rae Lee, New Yorker, 3 May 2026
The Dodgers’ social media team nudged Smith out of that public shell a bit this spring, in a spot promoting his bobblehead night, in which Smith nailed a deadpan delivery and a range of facial gestures.
—Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 30 Apr. 2026
These plastic or burlap cloths can be strung on hooks nailed into a structure, or draped over hoops or posts just above the plants.
—ABC News, 30 Apr. 2026
In the bottom of the frame, shortstop Ezequiel Tovar made a scrambling, diving stop on Sal Stewart’s grounder behind second base, then Tovar nailed Matt McClain at the plate for the final out of the inning.
—Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 30 Apr. 2026
The rookie sharpshooter nailed a huge 3-pointer during the comeback in the fourth — fittingly assisted by Leger-Walker — but finished just 1-for-6 from the field and 1-for-3 beyond the arc.
—Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 30 Apr. 2026
Season 5 followed Holy Week and the Last Supper, and season 6 will cover the Crucifixion and the final 24 hours of Jesus’ life before he is nailed to the cross.
—Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Apr. 2026
Santana nailed Swaan with Spin the Block and pinned him for the win.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 27 Apr. 2026
Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 4 May 2026
Tommy had nailed me and nailed me good.
—Chang-Rae Lee, New Yorker, 3 May 2026
The Dodgers’ social media team nudged Smith out of that public shell a bit this spring, in a spot promoting his bobblehead night, in which Smith nailed a deadpan delivery and a range of facial gestures.
—Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 30 Apr. 2026
These plastic or burlap cloths can be strung on hooks nailed into a structure, or draped over hoops or posts just above the plants.
—ABC News, 30 Apr. 2026
In the bottom of the frame, shortstop Ezequiel Tovar made a scrambling, diving stop on Sal Stewart’s grounder behind second base, then Tovar nailed Matt McClain at the plate for the final out of the inning.
—Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 30 Apr. 2026
The rookie sharpshooter nailed a huge 3-pointer during the comeback in the fourth — fittingly assisted by Leger-Walker — but finished just 1-for-6 from the field and 1-for-3 beyond the arc.
—Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 30 Apr. 2026
Season 5 followed Holy Week and the Last Supper, and season 6 will cover the Crucifixion and the final 24 hours of Jesus’ life before he is nailed to the cross.
—Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Apr. 2026
Santana nailed Swaan with Spin the Block and pinned him for the win.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 27 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nailed
Verb
-
Sloane, who has increased his fastball velocity by over 10 mph since last spring and now reaches 90, hit the gym hard.—
Steve Millar,
Chicago Tribune,
9 May 2026
-
During their semifinal win over Wisconsin, the Bruins hit four home runs and pushed their NCAA record single-season team home run total to 181.—
Sports Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
9 May 2026
Verb
-
The company has decided to operate five completion crews for the rest of the year while adding two to three rigs to maintain a sufficient DUC backlog and ensure operational flexibility.—
TipRanks.com Staff,
CNBC,
10 May 2026
-
Kerr ultimately decided to return for another season with Curry and Draymond Green, but there was uncertainty for more than three weeks.—
Joseph Dycus,
Mercury News,
10 May 2026
Verb
-
In 1984, Monsanto and six other chemical companies agreed to pay a $180 million settlement to Vietnam veterans who were exposed to the chemical herbicide Agent Orange during the Vietnam War.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
7 May 2026
-
The National Association of State Health Veterinarians says all unvaccinated dogs and cats exposed to a rabid animal need to be quarantined for four months and vaccinated one month before being released.—
Dan Raby,
CBS News,
6 May 2026
Verb
-
No remains were uncovered, but a month later, both Flores men were arrested and charged in connection with Smart’s murder.—
Richard Winton,
Los Angeles Times,
10 May 2026
-
In 2024 a total of 219 unhoused people were arrested on this charge.—
Michael Perkins,
The Orlando Sentinel,
10 May 2026
Verb
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Sabres winger Zach Benson took advantage of Lane Hutson stumbling at the defensive blue line, and grabbed a loose puck before setting up Josh Doan for the opening goal less than five minutes into the game.—
Matthew Fairburn,
New York Times,
7 May 2026
-
When he was found, deputies said Ortiz became belligerent, yelled at employees, threatened to harm them with a gun, and grabbed one of the resort employees.—
Steven Yablonski,
CBS News,
6 May 2026
Verb
-
Captain Rajat Patidar smacked 61 off 31 balls while Tim David (40), Krunal Pandya (28 not out) and Romario Shepherd (23 not out) also played cameos to bring Bengaluru close to the target.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
7 May 2026
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Adams, who lived in Diggs' home while working for him, walked into the Dedham police station on December 16 alleging that two weeks earlier, Diggs had smacked her across the face and choked her.—
Matt Schooley,
CBS News,
4 May 2026
Verb
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The first death on the ship occurred April 11 somewhere in the Atlantic Ocean, and the man’s cause of death couldn’t be determined on board, the ship operator said.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
5 May 2026
-
In 1982, a group of citizens determined to protect the river basin chartered the not-for-profit Friends of the Wekiva River, Inc.—
Stephen Hudak,
The Orlando Sentinel,
4 May 2026
Verb
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An investigation uncovered 398 violations in about half of 220 sample claims, including delays, underpayment, poor communication, and reluctance to cover smoke damage testing.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
4 May 2026
-
Independent journalists have uncovered staggering levels of health care fraud in Los Angeles.—
Steve Scauzillo,
Daily News,
4 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nailed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nailed. Accessed 12 May. 2026.
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