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 Russell then nailed his start and held onto the lead, but not without pressure. — Madeline Coleman, New York Times, 14 June 2026 Another came on a comebacker that nailed his right-pitching thumb in the fourth. — Jeff Vorva, Chicago Tribune, 4 June 2026 Wall Street exhaled on Friday after SpaceX nailed its record-breaking debut. — Morgan Chittum, CNBC, 13 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 Morocco’s Ismael Saibari nailed the winning penalty kick to give Morocco the 3-2 win in the stage, advancing the squad to the Round of 16. — Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 30 June 2026 Teun Koopmeiners walked up for the Dutch and buried the first penalty and then Neil El Aynaoui nailed the bar for Morocco, putting the African champions behind. — Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 29 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 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for nailed

Verb

Beyond Hicks’ contributions, Heriberto Hernandez and Owen Caissie hit home runs, while Lopez and Edwards each tallied a hit, while Jakob Marsee ended the game with a walk-off single in the bottom of the 10th inning.

— Tyler M. Carmona, Miami Herald, 8 July 2026
He was evaluated by the medical staff, hit in the cage and decided to play.

— Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 July 2026

Definition of hit

Verb

After more than an hour sheltering from the rain in the Ronald Reagan Building, Nadine Szewczyk, 67, decided to head back to her hotel.

— Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 5 July 2026
The suit last week is another sign that the utilities have decided to push back against criticism.

— Edmund H. Mahony, Hartford Courant, 5 July 2026

Definition of decided

Verb

Casemiro was able to coast through performances against poor Haiti and Scotland sides in two of Brazil’s group stage games, but Morocco provided much sterner opposition that exposed some worrying gaps in midfield.

— Mark Carey, New York Times, 6 July 2026
Authorities stopped letting people into the National Museum of African American History and Culture, with more than 1,000 sheltering outside the building and some exposed to the elements.

— Kyla Guilfoil, NBC news, 5 July 2026

Definition of exposed

Verb

There was briefly some concern earlier this year that Chestnut wouldn’t be able to participate in the 2026 competition after he was arrested for allegedly slapping a man in an Indiana bar.

— Kyla Guilfoil, NBC news, 5 July 2026
Authorities have arrested more than a half dozen people related in relation to Reflecting Pool damage, including former Olympian David Hearn, who was indicted last week on a felony of property destruction.

— Steve Peoples, Fortune, 5 July 2026

Definition of arrested

Verb

When Kennedy approached the rider and grabbed the handlebars to check whether the bike was registered, the rider refused to get off and allegedly tried to pull away.

— Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 2 July 2026
Maura Higgins, breakout star of The Traitors, grabbed her best tennis whites to ace the style assignment at Wimbledon 2026.

— Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 1 July 2026

Definition of grabbed

Verb

Eury Perez dominated with seven perfect innings, and the Miami Marlins smacked four homers before holding on for a wild 9-8 victory over the host Athletics on Sunday to complete a three-game sweep.

— Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 6 July 2026
Wyatt-Hodge, who launched the tournament two weeks ago with a century against Sri Lanka, smacked a 32-ball fifty.

— ABC News, ABC News, 24 June 2026

Definition of smacked

Verb

The Argentina fans, determined to lift their team’s spirit and will their heroes to victory, belted out song after song.

— Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 4 July 2026
Whitworth died at age 62, just one week after Love graduated from high school, leaving behind a family determined to carry his love and example forward.

— Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 4 July 2026