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 Swaan with Spin the Block and pinned him for the win.
—
Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 27 Apr. 2026
But with just under eight minutes left in the second quarter, Towns nailed Nickeil Alexander-Walker with a legal hip check before dropping a bounce pass of a dime to OG Anunoby, who finished with two hands at the rim.
—Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 26 Apr. 2026
Philly capitalized on both; Maxey nailed another three after the second to reestablish an 85-84 lead.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 25 Apr. 2026
That’s when Fourth-Quarter Franz Wagner hit a mid-range jumper and then nailed a 3-pointer to put the Magic up for good.
—Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 Apr. 2026
If so, this bill may have nailed it.
—Robert McCoppin, Chicago Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026
Which brings me to the Carolina Panthers, which nailed the 2025 draft and rode many of those players to their first berth in the NFL playoffs since 2017.
—Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 21 Apr. 2026
Season 5 followed Holy Week and the Last Supper, and season 6 will cover the Crucifixion and the final 24 hours of Jesus’ life before he is nailed to the cross.
—Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 Apr. 2026
Her skin is now nailed to the ceiling of the refuge office.
—Bill Kearney, Sun Sentinel, 19 Apr. 2026
Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 27 Apr. 2026
But with just under eight minutes left in the second quarter, Towns nailed Nickeil Alexander-Walker with a legal hip check before dropping a bounce pass of a dime to OG Anunoby, who finished with two hands at the rim.
—Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 26 Apr. 2026
Philly capitalized on both; Maxey nailed another three after the second to reestablish an 85-84 lead.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 25 Apr. 2026
That’s when Fourth-Quarter Franz Wagner hit a mid-range jumper and then nailed a 3-pointer to put the Magic up for good.
—Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 Apr. 2026
If so, this bill may have nailed it.
—Robert McCoppin, Chicago Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026
Which brings me to the Carolina Panthers, which nailed the 2025 draft and rode many of those players to their first berth in the NFL playoffs since 2017.
—Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 21 Apr. 2026
Season 5 followed Holy Week and the Last Supper, and season 6 will cover the Crucifixion and the final 24 hours of Jesus’ life before he is nailed to the cross.
—Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 Apr. 2026
Her skin is now nailed to the ceiling of the refuge office.
—Bill Kearney, Sun Sentinel, 19 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nailed
Verb
-
Carson Richter hit a grand slam for Newbury Park.—
Eric Sondheimer,
Los Angeles Times,
2 May 2026
-
Austin Hays then hit a grounder to third baseman Manny Machado.—
LaMond Pope,
Chicago Tribune,
2 May 2026
Verb
-
All seven games were decided by a goal, and four went to overtime, with the stingiest of netminders at both ends.—
Eduardo A. Encina,
The Orlando Sentinel,
4 May 2026
-
The developer that had approached Mike decided not to build, so Mike’s plans were not going to be advanced.—
Lucius Riccio,
New York Daily News,
3 May 2026
Verb
-
Curated by Our Editors Ultimately, public health workers got control of the outbreak through testing, contact tracing, isolating of sick and exposed individuals and vaccination.—
Tanya Lewis,
Scientific American,
29 Apr. 2026
-
One firm in the study had already reduced on-property labor hours by 30% and another had lowered headcount by 15% with entry-level positions—data labelers, junior brokers, leasing associates—among the most exposed.—
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld,
Fortune,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Bassell was arrested last May in connection with two of those accusers, the assistant principal and one of the teachers.—
John Annese,
New York Daily News,
2 May 2026
-
The 19-year-old suspect was quickly arrested after attempting to flee on foot.—
Pioneer Press,
Twin Cities,
2 May 2026
Verb
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Investigators later learned Hissom and her male passenger, who was wounded, were caught in a crossfire as a group of four or five men grabbed weapons from a vehicle and began firing at each other.—
Darrell Smith,
Sacbee.com,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Aristide then allegedly charged at his brother, grabbed him by the neck and forced him to the ground, according to the report.—
Mauricio Maldonado,
CBS News,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Mansfield ended the shutout bid in the seventh when Andrew Simmons smacked a two-out single that brought Jacob Bianchi home.—
Tim Crowley,
Boston Herald,
30 Apr. 2026
-
The puck smacked off Vladar's left pad, then his right and across the goal line to give Pittsburgh the lead for good.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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There was diligence paid to scouting Bernard, and the Eagles were determined to land him.—
Zach Berman,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
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It was determined Megan had suffered from extreme exhaustion, dehydration, vasoconstriction, and low metabolic levels.—
Jami Ganz,
New York Daily News,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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However, Pirro also suggested investigators have already uncovered evidence to back charging Allen with attempting to assassinate the president.—
Christopher Cann,
USA Today,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Redistricting usually happens every 10 years, with borders of districts redrawn to reflect population changes uncovered in the Census.—
Anthony Man,
Sun Sentinel,
27 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nailed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nailed. Accessed 4 May. 2026.
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