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
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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
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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
-
Carson Richter hit a grand slam for Newbury Park.—
Eric Sondheimer,
Los Angeles Times,
2 May 2026
-
Austin Hays then hit a grounder to third baseman Manny Machado.—
LaMond Pope,
Chicago Tribune,
2 May 2026
Verb
-
All seven games were decided by a goal, and four went to overtime, with the stingiest of netminders at both ends.—
Eduardo A. Encina,
The Orlando Sentinel,
4 May 2026
-
The developer that had approached Mike decided not to build, so Mike’s plans were not going to be advanced.—
Lucius Riccio,
New York Daily News,
3 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
-
Bassell was arrested last May in connection with two of those accusers, the assistant principal and one of the teachers.—
John Annese,
New York Daily News,
2 May 2026
-
The 19-year-old suspect was quickly arrested after attempting to flee on foot.—
Pioneer Press,
Twin Cities,
2 May 2026
Verb
-
Investigators later learned Hissom and her male passenger, who was wounded, were caught in a crossfire as a group of four or five men grabbed weapons from a vehicle and began firing at each other.—
Darrell Smith,
Sacbee.com,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Aristide then allegedly charged at his brother, grabbed him by the neck and forced him to the ground, according to the report.—
Mauricio Maldonado,
CBS News,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Mansfield ended the shutout bid in the seventh when Andrew Simmons smacked a two-out single that brought Jacob Bianchi home.—
Tim Crowley,
Boston Herald,
30 Apr. 2026
-
The puck smacked off Vladar's left pad, then his right and across the goal line to give Pittsburgh the lead for good.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
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 7 May. 2026.
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