Synonyms of nailed

nailed

verb

past tense of nail

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

• hit
• smacked
• slapped
• knocked
• slammed
• banged
• punched
• struck
• pounded
• whacked
• clapped
• clipped
• swiped
• cracked
• batted
• hammered
• kicked
• bashed
• thumped
• tapped
• licked
• swatted
• rapped
• poked
• shoved
• socked
• clobbered
• boxed
• pushed
• pasted
• thwacked
• jabbed
• bobbed
• clocked
• slugged
• flicked
• bludgeoned
• zapped
• bopped
• chopped
• busted
• stabbed
• tagged
• walloped
• smote
• belted
• whaled
• clouted
• biffed
• bonked
• bumped
• slogged
• stroked
• mauled
• beat
• lashed
• stamped
• mangled
• pummeled
• battered
• roughed
• peppered
• cuffed
• bunged
• buffeted
• laced
• slashed
• hung one on
• lambasted
• pelted
• decked
• whipped
• butted
• scuffed
• dumped
• bunted
• speared
• prodded
• drubbed
• creamed
• floored
• felled
• jostled
• clubbed
• switched
• flogged
• pommeled
• kneed
• leveled
• caned
• thrashed
• flailed
• conked
• knocked down
• sapped
• sledged
• sledgehammered
• beaned
• bowled (down or over)
• cudgeled
• sucker punched
• brained
• skulled
• rabbit-punched

2

as in decided

to make final, definite, or beyond dispute

this latest infidelity nails it—I'm filing for divorce

Synonyms & Similar Words

• decided
• determined
• settled
• clinched
• defined
• proved
• clarified
• established
• showed
• secured
• stated
• demonstrated
• affirmed
• assured
• specified
• finished
• ensured
• insured
• ended
• illuminated
• concluded
• nailed (down)
• stipulated
• cleared (up)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• confused
• muddled
• unsettled
• muddied

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

• exposed
• uncovered
• undressed
• unmasked
• debunked
• demolished
• disclosed
• showed up
• told
• disproved
• uncloaked
• discredited
• blew the whistle on
• unveiled
• divulged

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• disguised
• masked
• concealed
• hid
• camouflaged
• secreted
• veiled
• cloaked

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

• arrested
• seized
• grabbed
• apprehended
• restrained
• captured
• pinched
• nicked
• busted
• collared
• detained
• committed
• snatched
• nabbed
• caught
• ran in
• pulled in
• jailed
• picked up
• landed
• trapped
• hooked
• grappled
• snared
• bound
• imprisoned
• confined
• bagged
• handcuffed
• got
• held
• snapped (up)
• incarcerated
• shackled
• interned
• locked (up)
• fettered
• jugged
• immured
• manacled
• remanded
• trammeled
• enchained
• rearrested

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• discharged
• released
• sprang
• freed
• loosened
• liberated
• loosed
• emancipated
• unchained
• unbound

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

• grabbed
• caught
• snatched
• captured
• landed
• seized
• got
• snagged
• trapped
• rapped
• hooked
• netted
• nabbed
• snared
• corralled
• grappled
• bagged
• copped
• collared
• snapped (up)
• took hold (of)
• roped
• glommed
• grasped
• nobbled
• held
• clutched
• arrested
• secured
• apprehended
• gripped
• gloved
• cornered
• lassoed
• kidnapped
• clasped
• detained
• meshed
• fisted
• fastened (on)
• haltered
• ensnared
• wrested
• latched (on or onto)
• enmeshed
• entrapped
• abducted
• entangled
• rent
• bayed
• spirited (away or off)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• missed
• released
• discharged
• freed
• liberated
• dropped
• loosened
• unhanded

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of nailed

During a drive bolstered by a 36-yard pass from Thomas to Dakorien Moore, Oregon nailed a field goal, cutting the lead to a possession. — Elias Esquivel, Los Angeles Times, 11 Oct. 2026

Jaguars kicker Cam Little nailed a game-winning 57-yard field goal. — Ryan Gaydos Outkick, FOXNews.com, 11 Oct. 2026

As for those celebrities who have nailed the long-hair-don’t-care look, well, there are plenty of them. — Hannah Coates, Vogue, 5 Oct. 2026

Ultrawide Camera The 8MP ultrawide actually nailed the center of this shot, delivering crisp text and vibrant colors despite the dreary lighting. — Kimberly Gedeon, PC Magazine, 30 Sep. 2026

And yet when Winston took over for Dart in Monday’s first quarter, and as the Giants’ offense floundered while falling behind big, Beckham was nailed to the bench. — Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 25 Sep. 2026

Bottom line Meta nailed it Wednesday, and Wall Street is taking notice. — Zev Fima, CNBC, 24 Sep. 2026

A week with the 2027 Dodge Charger Scat Pack revealed that the team involved nailed some parts of this reboot but fumbled plenty of others. — Joel Feder, The Drive, 24 Sep. 2026

This season 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, 22 Sep. 2026