NAILED Synonyms: 252 Similar and Opposite Words

nailed

verb

past tense of nail

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

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Relevance

as in decided

to make final, definite, or beyond dispute this latest infidelity nails it—I'm filing for divorce

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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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

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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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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 Bell technically nailed the run, but Tarantino pulled her aside. — Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 17 Sep. 2026 Gross is nailed to start when fit, on penalties and is also on dead balls. — Abdul Rehman, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026 All Vicki wants to do is get through this dinner and then read her Bible — she’s being nailed to the cross like Jesus was by those Judases, Emily and Jenn. — Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 11 Sep. 2026 In the end, the subject of the joke feels the Colin From Accounts team nailed it. — Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Sep. 2026 Overall, service and staff interactions nailed the sweet spot of professionalism and kindness, without being either too stiff or overfamiliar. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Sep. 2026 As Rhodes pleaded with him to get out of the way, Orton nailed both Rhodes and Arango with a low blow. — Ryan Gaydos Outkick, FOXNews.com, 7 Sep. 2026 The Bruins called a quick timeout and Mateen Bhaghani nailed a 38-yard field goal for a 24-17 lead. — Aaron Heisen, Daily News, 6 Sep. 2026 Weinberg hit all six extra points and nailed his only field goal, from 46 yards. — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 5 Sep. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for nailed

Verb

The first curveball of the night came when word hit that Young was closing out the night, as opposed to Willie Nelson.

— Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 23 Sep. 2026
Following a bohemian couple from Istanbul who hit a wall both creatively and personally, this slow-burn drama takes a little too much time to get the ball rolling but evolves into an honest portrait of artists finding their way out of the darkness.

— Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 23 Sep. 2026

Definition of hit

Verb

Sometimes only the tips of the reeds and the seed heads were visible, poking above the murky water, and other times the reeds stood fully exposed, with a clear view of crabs clambering around their bases.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Sep. 2026
Use fast-draining potting mix so the roots are not exposed to soggy soil for long periods of time.

— Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 Sep. 2026

Definition of exposed

Verb

British police arrested five men on Sunday near RAF Fairford in the west of England on suspicion of explosives and terrorism offenses.

— Mike Sheen, CNBC, 28 Sep. 2026
In September 1644, Suffolk housewife Thomasine Stott was arrested for refusing to go to her state church.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of arrested

Verb

Except a woman who knew both of them eventually grabbed Leigh and more or less threw her into Beck.

— Josephine Reisman, Vulture, 24 Sep. 2026
Two veteran training officers and new paramedic Cristina DeBiase grabbed their equipment and gurney while another EMT remained with the ambulance and attempted to move it through traffic.

— ABC News, ABC News, 23 Sep. 2026

Definition of grabbed

Verb

Contreras smacked Young’s sinker 403 feet to left to lead off the fourth for his 18th homer.

— ABC News, ABC News, 20 Sep. 2026
That stretch started with the doubleheader sweep of the Detroit Tigers earlier this month, when Bazzana smacked a tying homer and a walk-off single in the nightcap.

— Zack Meisel, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of smacked

Verb

After conducting a traffic stop, troopers determined that the vehicle was not registered.

— Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 26 Sep. 2026
How many games of their final series take place at Fenway Park is still to be determined because of a concerning nor’easter forecast to hit Boston this weekend.

— Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of determined

Verb

Ancient footprints and Bronze Age art Experts didn’t believe marks uncovered by a biologist in New Mexico’s White Sands National Park in 2009 were ancient human footprints.

— Maureen O'Hare, CNN Money, 26 Sep. 2026
Place the chicken on a sheet pan and refrigerate uncovered for 24 hours to air-dry and develop a crust.

— ABC News, ABC News, 26 Sep. 2026