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
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Recent Examples of nailed
Summers converted a pair of layups off steals and nailed a 3-pointer in a signature quarter.
—
Tom Mulherin, Boston Herald, 9 Mar. 2026
The French forward nailed a step-back 3-pointer before the half to notch eight points, seven rebounds, four assists and two steals.
—Jason Beede, The Orlando Sentinel, 9 Mar. 2026
Joy Randolph, Ke Huy Quan and Daniel Kaluuya nailed the assignment in recent years, giving speeches that struck an endearing balance of humor and sincerity, but always with a dash of the unexpected.
—Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 8 Mar. 2026
But Jordan Pope nailed a baseline 3-pointer, which had to feel good for the senior guard after his scoreless outing at Arkansas Wednesday.
—Thomas Jones, Austin American Statesman, 7 Mar. 2026
After Kon Knueppel’s three drew Charlotte to within three, Herro nailed another three.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 7 Mar. 2026
But the next two trips down the floor, Brieana Brown and Brianna Mendez nailed 3s and the visitors would never get closer than eight.
—Don Norcross, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Mar. 2026
The margin reached 36-26 on a basket and free throw by Ike before Juzenas nailed his fourth shot from beyond the arc to pull the Gaels within seven points at the break.
—Jeff Faraudo, Mercury News, 1 Mar. 2026
Charlotte’s sharpshooting rookie nailed a 3-point jumper in the corner to bring the Hornets within two points of the Pacers.
—Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 27 Feb. 2026
Tom Mulherin, Boston Herald, 9 Mar. 2026
The French forward nailed a step-back 3-pointer before the half to notch eight points, seven rebounds, four assists and two steals.
—Jason Beede, The Orlando Sentinel, 9 Mar. 2026
Joy Randolph, Ke Huy Quan and Daniel Kaluuya nailed the assignment in recent years, giving speeches that struck an endearing balance of humor and sincerity, but always with a dash of the unexpected.
—Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 8 Mar. 2026
But Jordan Pope nailed a baseline 3-pointer, which had to feel good for the senior guard after his scoreless outing at Arkansas Wednesday.
—Thomas Jones, Austin American Statesman, 7 Mar. 2026
After Kon Knueppel’s three drew Charlotte to within three, Herro nailed another three.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 7 Mar. 2026
But the next two trips down the floor, Brieana Brown and Brianna Mendez nailed 3s and the visitors would never get closer than eight.
—Don Norcross, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Mar. 2026
The margin reached 36-26 on a basket and free throw by Ike before Juzenas nailed his fourth shot from beyond the arc to pull the Gaels within seven points at the break.
—Jeff Faraudo, Mercury News, 1 Mar. 2026
Charlotte’s sharpshooting rookie nailed a 3-point jumper in the corner to bring the Hornets within two points of the Pacers.
—Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 27 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nailed
Verb
-
In seeing their six-game winning streak halted just before hitting the friendly skies for a four-game road trip that tips off in Phoenix on Sunday, the Hornets (32-32) were victimized by Miami in the fourth quarter.—
Roderick Boone,
Charlotte Observer,
7 Mar. 2026
-
Byron Buxton was hit by a pitch in the fifth to push the Americans’ lead to 4-1.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Details of how a trial would move forward with states that don’t sign on to the settlement will be decided later.—
Josh Sisco,
Bloomberg,
9 Mar. 2026
-
Analysts at the Institute for Science and International Security pointed out that Iran has not yet decided to build a nuclear weapon.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
During a fiery congressional hearing last month, Democrats excoriated Bondi over haphazard redactions in the Epstein files that exposed intimate details about victims and included nude photographs.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
5 Mar. 2026
-
Staff at the Roseville hospital identified patients and staff who may have been exposed and iare coordinating with county health officials to notify those people.—
Rosalio Ahumada,
Sacbee.com,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Between February 27 and March 2, the investigators found and arrested four suspects.—
Christa Swanson,
CBS News,
8 Mar. 2026
-
Three people were arrested, and an investigation is underway, Tisch said.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
After scoring over Denver center Nikola Jokic in the fourth quarter, James fell to the court and immediately grabbed his left elbow.—
Broderick Turner,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Based on court records, witness testimony and interviews with law enforcement, it’s believed that Sarah Wondra, along with one of the roommates, grabbed Michael and brought him back to the Wondras’ house.—
Alex Brizee
March 5,
Idaho Statesman,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
In the second inning of Japan’s WBC opener against Chinese Taipei on Friday at the Tokyo Dome, Ohtani smacked a hanging curve a few feet over the right-field wall for a grand slam, triggering an offensive onslaught that resulted in a 13-0 victory.—
Steve Henson,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Brent Burns set up Landeskog’s one-timer from the high slot on the heels of a strong burst by MacKinnon, who had smacked a one-timer of his own in off the rush following Kempe’s errant pass at the offensive blue line.—
Andrew Knoll,
Daily News,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The space agency quickly determined that the 2022 strike trimmed the smaller asteroid’s orbit around its bigger companion.—
Marcia Dunn,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Mar. 2026
-
The new story follows the trio as ambitious young entrepreneurs on the rise, determined to make their mark on the streets of New York City.—
Rosy Cordero,
Deadline,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
His burial site — which falls within the traditional homeland of the Six Nations of the Grand River — was uncovered during a home renovation in 2023.—
Ryan Brennan,
Charlotte Observer,
9 Mar. 2026
-
When the conspiracy was uncovered, women were interrogated and punished.—
Ed Gaskin,
Boston Herald,
8 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nailed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nailed. Accessed 11 Mar. 2026.
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