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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of nailed
Santana nailed a huge double underhook toss from the top rope against Young.
—
Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 13 June 2026
Wall Street exhaled on Friday after SpaceX nailed its record-breaking debut.
—Morgan Chittum, CNBC, 13 June 2026
The late Katherine MacGregor nailed this delicate balance with her performance as iconic villain Harriet Oleson, the town gossip and snarky co-owner of Oleson’s Mercantile.
—Kelly Martinez, Entertainment Weekly, 12 June 2026
He is nailed on to start and is the focal point of Portugal’s attack.
—Abdul Rehman, New York Times, 11 June 2026
Milton’s Aidan Rowley nailed a three-point penalty kick at the 30-minute mark to give the Wildcats 10 points but Conley added another try for the Eagles before the half to make it 34-10.
—Jack Murray, Boston Herald, 11 June 2026
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
Taylor really nailed it with that description.
—Skyler Caruso, PEOPLE, 2 June 2026
Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 13 June 2026
Wall Street exhaled on Friday after SpaceX nailed its record-breaking debut.
—Morgan Chittum, CNBC, 13 June 2026
The late Katherine MacGregor nailed this delicate balance with her performance as iconic villain Harriet Oleson, the town gossip and snarky co-owner of Oleson’s Mercantile.
—Kelly Martinez, Entertainment Weekly, 12 June 2026
He is nailed on to start and is the focal point of Portugal’s attack.
—Abdul Rehman, New York Times, 11 June 2026
Milton’s Aidan Rowley nailed a three-point penalty kick at the 30-minute mark to give the Wildcats 10 points but Conley added another try for the Eagles before the half to make it 34-10.
—Jack Murray, Boston Herald, 11 June 2026
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
Taylor really nailed it with that description.
—Skyler Caruso, PEOPLE, 2 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nailed
Verb
-
Israeli strikes hit several towns in southern Lebanon on Saturday morning local time, killing at least five people, Lebanese state-run National News Agency reported, despite Israel and Hezbollah renewing their truce Friday.—
Caitlin Danaher,
CNN Money,
20 June 2026
-
Temperatures are expected to soar on June 22 in parts of Oregon and Washington, possibly hitting 100 degrees in Portland and at least 90 degrees in Seattle.—
Dinah Voyles Pulver,
USA Today,
20 June 2026
Verb
-
But with a growing awareness of the mental health risks posed by children spending too much time online, Starmer has decided to go further after speaking to parents and considering evidence from Australia, which brought in a ban for under-16s last year.—
Reuters,
CNN Money,
15 June 2026
-
Then, in early 2026, after ticket sales dropped sharply, the board decided to close the center for about two years for major renovations.—
Aysha Bagchi,
USA Today,
14 June 2026
Verb
-
In 2018, Anas Aremeyaw Anas, an investigative journalist famous for wearing a beaded mask to hide his identity, exposed just how deep Ghana’s football problems ran by releasing a documentary that was screened at cinemas and theatres across the country.—
Simon Hughes,
New York Times,
17 June 2026
-
The fabric is also UPF 50+, perfect for protecting your skin when exposed to the sun for extended periods, such as when doing lawn work or golfing.—
Caroline Hughes,
Travel + Leisure,
17 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
-
Forward Natasha Howard scored 15 points and grabbed nine rebounds for the Lynx (12-3), who have won 10 of their past 11 games.—
John W. Davis,
Oc Register,
18 June 2026
-
Police said one officer grabbed his gun and another grabbed his taser.—
Brandon Downs,
CBS News,
18 June 2026
Verb
-
For the viewer, the satisfaction comes through vicarious tactile sensation—witnessing how the thatch gets smacked in by a flat, hammerlike device, or the way a tile slots perfectly into a shelf niche.—
Kyle Chayka,
New Yorker,
17 June 2026
-
Then, on June 15, 2025, in Kansas City, Kurtz smacked a go-ahead homer off then-Royals closer Carlos Estévez.—
Stephen J. Nesbitt,
New York Times,
16 June 2026
Verb
-
New Jersey governor Mikie Sherrill has been determined to avoid offsetting the costs on to taxpayers, and unsuccessfully called for FIFA to help share the cost burden, and Mamdani sympathizes with her position.—
Adam Crafton,
New York Times,
16 June 2026
-
Investigators determined that Teahan had supplied Windham with the fentanyl that caused his death.—
Rosalio Ahumada,
Sacbee.com,
16 June 2026
Verb
-
Workers repairing a ha-ha, a ditch traditionally used to contain livestock without interrupting the view across an estate, uncovered a tunnel entrance, along with Tudor-era artifacts including pottery, bones, and glass bottles.—
Anne Doran,
ARTnews.com,
15 June 2026
-
In the process of turning the house into a museum, countless artifacts, photos, and personal ephemera were uncovered, painting a vivid picture of the artist’s life at home.—
Katie Schultz,
Architectural Digest,
15 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nailed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nailed. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
