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
Santana nailed a huge double underhook toss from the top rope against Young.
—
Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 13 June 2026
Wall Street exhaled on Friday after SpaceX nailed its record-breaking debut.
—Morgan Chittum, CNBC, 13 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
He is nailed on to start and is the focal point of Portugal’s attack.
—Abdul Rehman, New York Times, 11 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 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
Another came on a comebacker that nailed his right-pitching thumb in the fourth.
—Jeff Vorva, Chicago Tribune, 4 June 2026
Taylor really nailed it with that description.
—Skyler Caruso, PEOPLE, 2 June 2026
Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 13 June 2026
Wall Street exhaled on Friday after SpaceX nailed its record-breaking debut.
—Morgan Chittum, CNBC, 13 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
He is nailed on to start and is the focal point of Portugal’s attack.
—Abdul Rehman, New York Times, 11 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 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
Another came on a comebacker that nailed his right-pitching thumb in the fourth.
—Jeff Vorva, Chicago Tribune, 4 June 2026
Taylor really nailed it with that description.
—Skyler Caruso, PEOPLE, 2 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nailed
Verb
-
Not over yet While the Nooksack River, near Everson, appeared to crest Thursday morning, other communities were waiting for the peak effects from the deluge to hit their communities.—
Evan Bush,
NBC news,
12 Dec. 2025
-
Salah goes to the centre-back, and Szoboszlai jumps to the left-back, ending up out of position when goalkeeper Matz Sels hits one long.—
Liam Tharme,
New York Times,
12 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
But with a growing awareness of the mental health risks posed by children spending too much time online, Starmer has decided to go further after speaking to parents and considering evidence from Australia, which brought in a ban for under-16s last year.—
Reuters,
CNN Money,
15 June 2026
-
The veteran decided to try out the school after watching it be built near his home, according to the institution.—
Abigail Adams,
PEOPLE,
14 June 2026
Verb
-
Today, many Catholic homes, businesses and churches feature images of Jesus with his Sacred Heart exposed, often accompanied by flames, a cross and a crown of thorns to symbolize suffering love.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
10 June 2026
-
This training could benefit anyone who may be exposed to fewer periods of sustained focus as the world shifts toward greater engagement with endless scrolls of bite-size social media.—
Supreet Kaur,
Scientific American,
10 June 2026
Verb
-
Police confirmed the man had been arrested for petty larceny.—
Kerry Burke,
New York Daily News,
22 Aug. 2025
-
When reached for comment by EW Thursday, a spokesperson with the LAPD confirmed receiving the call and that the suspect was arrested for charging at a police officer, but could not identify the person by name.—
Lauren Huff,
EW.com,
22 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Ogwumike, who spent the past two seasons in Seattle, also grabbed nine rebounds to move into fourth on the WNBA career list, passing Rebekkah Brunson.—
Daily News,
Daily News,
11 June 2026
-
Cameron Brink added 15 points off the bench and Dearica Hamby grabbed 10 rebounds for the Sparks (6-6) in the Commissioner’s Cup game.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
11 June 2026
Verb
-
Last year the region was smacked with three hurricanes, Debby, Helene and Milton.—
Alex Harris,
Miami Herald,
25 Nov. 2025
-
With Sam Lafferty camped out in front, Donato smacked a loose puck by Wolf on the goaltender's glove side.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
19 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
New Jersey governor Mikie Sherrill has been determined to avoid offsetting the costs on to taxpayers, and unsuccessfully called for FIFA to help share the cost burden, and Mamdani sympathizes with her position.—
Adam Crafton,
New York Times,
16 June 2026
-
Investigators determined that Teahan had supplied Windham with the fentanyl that caused his death.—
Rosalio Ahumada,
Sacbee.com,
16 June 2026
Verb
-
Workers repairing a ha-ha, a ditch traditionally used to contain livestock without interrupting the view across an estate, uncovered a tunnel entrance, along with Tudor-era artifacts including pottery, bones, and glass bottles.—
Anne Doran,
ARTnews.com,
15 June 2026
-
In the process of turning the house into a museum, countless artifacts, photos, and personal ephemera were uncovered, painting a vivid picture of the artist’s life at home.—
Katie Schultz,
Architectural Digest,
15 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nailed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nailed. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.
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