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
That can be tricky, but Fris nailed it.
—
Zach Dean Outkick, FOXNews.com, 18 June 2026
Russell then nailed his start and held onto the lead, but not without pressure.
—Madeline Coleman, New York Times, 14 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
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
Zach Dean Outkick, FOXNews.com, 18 June 2026
Russell then nailed his start and held onto the lead, but not without pressure.
—Madeline Coleman, New York Times, 14 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
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
-
Israeli strikes hit several towns in southern Lebanon on Saturday morning local time, killing at least five people, Lebanese state-run National News Agency reported, despite Israel and Hezbollah renewing their truce Friday.—
Caitlin Danaher,
CNN Money,
20 June 2026
-
Temperatures are expected to soar on June 22 in parts of Oregon and Washington, possibly hitting 100 degrees in Portland and at least 90 degrees in Seattle.—
Dinah Voyles Pulver,
USA Today,
20 June 2026
Verb
-
Without a staff, and also faced with electrical issues, Robertson and two cousins decided to temporarily close the restaurant’s doors on May 12.—
Angela Osorio,
Los Angeles Times,
22 June 2026
-
Gerrit Cole was originally lined up to start Sunday, but the Yankees decided to give their ace — and the rest of the rotation — an extra day of rest amid a stretch of 16 consecutive games without an off-day.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
21 June 2026
Verb
-
In 2018, Anas Aremeyaw Anas, an investigative journalist famous for wearing a beaded mask to hide his identity, exposed just how deep Ghana’s football problems ran by releasing a documentary that was screened at cinemas and theatres across the country.—
Simon Hughes,
New York Times,
17 June 2026
-
The fabric is also UPF 50+, perfect for protecting your skin when exposed to the sun for extended periods, such as when doing lawn work or golfing.—
Caroline Hughes,
Travel + Leisure,
17 June 2026
Verb
-
Police Scotland said that a 36-year-old man was arrested late Friday after officers received multiple reports of attacks in the west and north of Edinburgh.—
Jill Lawless,
Los Angeles Times,
21 June 2026
-
Bridges pointed to an encounter last year in which an officer threatened Breshari Faulkner with a Taser, pulled her from her car onto the ground and arrested her during a confrontation over a handicapped parking space in the same Walmart lot where Kohen was shot.—
TRAVIS LOLLER,
Arkansas Online,
20 June 2026
Verb
-
Forward Natasha Howard scored 15 points and grabbed nine rebounds for the Lynx (12-3), who have won 10 of their past 11 games.—
John W. Davis,
Oc Register,
18 June 2026
-
Police said one officer grabbed his gun and another grabbed his taser.—
Brandon Downs,
CBS News,
18 June 2026
Verb
-
For the viewer, the satisfaction comes through vicarious tactile sensation—witnessing how the thatch gets smacked in by a flat, hammerlike device, or the way a tile slots perfectly into a shelf niche.—
Kyle Chayka,
New Yorker,
17 June 2026
-
Then, on June 15, 2025, in Kansas City, Kurtz smacked a go-ahead homer off then-Royals closer Carlos Estévez.—
Stephen J. Nesbitt,
New York Times,
16 June 2026
Verb
-
Days before the five-year anniversary of the 2021 building collapse that killed 98 people in Surfside, the federal government has published findings that determined the structure of the Champlain Towers South condominium started failing about three weeks before the catastrophe.—
Aaron Leibowitz,
Miami Herald,
23 June 2026
-
Sheriff's officials said a detailed investigation determined three employees used the system for non-law enforcement purposes, violating both agency policy and Georgia law.—
Zachary Bynum,
CBS News,
23 June 2026
Verb
-
Last year, utility workers in Lima, Peru, uncovered a millennia-old mummy while on the job.—
Andrea Margolis,
FOXNews.com,
22 June 2026
-
Mandelson was removed as Ambassador and arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office following revelations uncovered in the Epstein files.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
22 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nailed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nailed. Accessed 23 Jun. 2026.
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