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
Nico Gramatica then nailed a 20-yard field goal as time expired.
—
Anna Lazarus Caplan, PEOPLE, 9 Sep. 2025
Yet, the true star of this portion of the show was Matt Duckworth, who absolutely nailed those powerhouse drum parts originally laid down by Sabbath’s mighty Bill Ward (aka, one of the greatest drummers in rock ‘n’ roll history).
—Jim Harrington, Mercury News, 8 Sep. 2025
By the time the Raiders’ marathon march ended, Daniel Carlson nailed a 40-yard field goal to extend their lead to two possessions.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 8 Sep. 2025
Ronnie Hart, her stylist, nailed this.
—Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 8 Sep. 2025
Well, at least punter Jeremy Crawshaw nailed his first punt, a 52-yarder.
—Joe Nguyen, Denver Post, 7 Sep. 2025
Seven plays later, Nico Gramatica nailed a 20-yard field goal to give South Florida the 18-16 win.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 7 Sep. 2025
And when Osaka, the four-time Grand Slam champion on a mission to regain her form of old, had to spin a second serve into the box, Anisimova reared back and nailed them for winners with the authority of someone on a mission.
—Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2025
In Debruge’s view, White nailed the assignment.
—Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 2 Sep. 2025
Anna Lazarus Caplan, PEOPLE, 9 Sep. 2025
Yet, the true star of this portion of the show was Matt Duckworth, who absolutely nailed those powerhouse drum parts originally laid down by Sabbath’s mighty Bill Ward (aka, one of the greatest drummers in rock ‘n’ roll history).
—Jim Harrington, Mercury News, 8 Sep. 2025
By the time the Raiders’ marathon march ended, Daniel Carlson nailed a 40-yard field goal to extend their lead to two possessions.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 8 Sep. 2025
Ronnie Hart, her stylist, nailed this.
—Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 8 Sep. 2025
Well, at least punter Jeremy Crawshaw nailed his first punt, a 52-yarder.
—Joe Nguyen, Denver Post, 7 Sep. 2025
Seven plays later, Nico Gramatica nailed a 20-yard field goal to give South Florida the 18-16 win.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 7 Sep. 2025
And when Osaka, the four-time Grand Slam champion on a mission to regain her form of old, had to spin a second serve into the box, Anisimova reared back and nailed them for winners with the authority of someone on a mission.
—Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2025
In Debruge’s view, White nailed the assignment.
—Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 2 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nailed
Verb
-
When the financial crisis hit in 2008, Mindy Fitzpatrick considered selling her family’s 6-acre wooded lot on Friendly Road.—
Lisa Cericola,
Southern Living,
9 Sep. 2025
-
Sticker shock, though, is expected to hit when consumers shop for 2026 model year cars and trucks as more of those vehicles arrive at dealer lots, according to Cox Automotive.—
Susan Tompor,
USA Today,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
After coming in as an engineer, Dell'Anno decided to fully immerse himself in the culinary world.—
Jane LaCroix,
PEOPLE,
8 Sep. 2025
-
The board placed the task of arts grants distribution into the hands of the Parks and Culture Committee and decided to transition its distribution formula to one that divided the total pot of arts funding allocated in the county budget equally among all qualified groups, Tarantino said.—
Claudia Levens,
jsonline.com,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Sure, there are some greenery elements to it and some rocks, but the sides of the cake are exposed.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
5 Sep. 2025
-
The case, which was originally set to go to trial in December, could have exposed Anthropic to damages of up to $1 trillion if the court found that the company willfully violated copyright law.—
Beatrice Nolan,
Fortune,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The 41-year-old driver has been arrested, police said.—
Drake Bentley,
jsonline.com,
6 Sep. 2025
-
Farthing was arrested in Florida days after his lottery win and body camera footage from the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office shows the Kentuckian being tased and tackled by deputies after attempting to flee following a bar fight.—
Marina Johnson,
Louisville Courier Journal,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Twenty-four hours later, Ohtani entered the visiting clubhouse in Baltimore and grabbed his glove.—
Fabian Ardaya,
New York Times,
6 Sep. 2025
-
During the argument, Martin grabbed a hammer from Lawson that Lawson had been using to repair a patio door and raised it above his head in a striking motion, Lawson said.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Mesa smacked his first career MLB home run — a three-run blast 394 feet to right field — to provide the highlight of the night for the Marlins, who watched the Nationals circle the bases for most of the game.—
Steve Gorten,
Miami Herald,
8 Sep. 2025
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Continue reading … CROSSING THE LINE – Ravens' Lamar Jackson retaliates against fan after being smacked in helmet.—
,
FOXNews.com,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Older Americans clearly need protection, and Tejasvi was determined to provide it.—
Jeffrey Kluger,
Time,
9 Sep. 2025
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Tylee's remains were dismembered and so badly burned that her cause of death couldn't be determined, according to Business Insider.—
Jessica Sager,
PEOPLE,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The unseasonably cold conditions threaten to harm sensitive outdoor vegetation, and some plants may be killed if left uncovered, the NWS said.—
Matthew Robinson,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Sep. 2025
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We are used to it, even as new levels of depravity are uncovered on a weekly basis.—
Jack Sheehan
September 4,
Literary Hub,
4 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Nailed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nailed. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.
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