NAILED Synonyms: 252 Similar and Opposite Words

nailed

verb

past tense of nail

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

as in decided

to make final, definite, or beyond dispute this latest infidelity nails it—I'm filing for divorce

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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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

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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

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of nailed Overall, service and staff interactions nailed the sweet spot of professionalism and kindness, without being either too stiff or overfamiliar. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Sep. 2026 As Rhodes pleaded with him to get out of the way, Orton nailed both Rhodes and Arango with a low blow. — Ryan Gaydos Outkick, FOXNews.com, 7 Sep. 2026 Weinberg hit all six extra points and nailed his only field goal, from 46 yards. — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 5 Sep. 2026 The problem is that Cadillac hasn’t nailed the sporty part of the equation, while other automakers—from Hyundai to Porsche—have. — Adam Ismail, The Drive, 2 Sep. 2026 After receiving the ball from an inbound pass with three seconds left in game 5, Jordan nailed the buzzer-beater while floating horizontally through the air near the free throw line. — Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 20 Aug. 2026 Pfeiffer got a pass on the right edge of the box, cut inside and nailed a shot with her left foot. — Michael Nowels, Mercury News, 10 Aug. 2026 Carey nailed her first two tumbling passes, drawing roars from her home crowd. — Caroline Price, Forbes.com, 9 Aug. 2026 Madelynn took pictures of me standing beside a sign nailed to a scaly tree. — Literary Hub, 6 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for nailed

Verb

If the Sabres can find some more success with the man advantage, Thompson shouldn’t have much trouble hitting the 40-goal mark again.

— Matthew Fairburn, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
Japan's 10-year government bond yield recently breached 3%, hitting a high not seen in roughly 30 years.

— , CNBC, 9 Sep. 2026

Definition of hit

Verb

Oak Park and Evanston have decided to end their Flock contracts.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 7 Sep. 2026
After sunsetting their decades-long careers in the aerospace industry, brothers Jerry and Peter Wong decided to add a bit of magic to their lives by working at Disney.

— Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 6 Sep. 2026

Definition of decided

Verb

The Strait of Hormuz crisis has exposed just how vulnerable African economies remain to energy shocks.

— Nana Menya Ayensu, semafor.com, 7 Sep. 2026
After their secondary was exposed in an NFC championship game defeat by the Seattle Seahawks, the Rams traded for All-Pro cornerback Trent McDuffie.

— Gary Klein, Los Angeles Times, 6 Sep. 2026

Definition of exposed

Verb

Dasha Ramírez, now 9, still remembers the day armed, uniformed Border Patrol agents arrested her family, her mother, Noemi Chavez, told the Tribune.

— Andrew Carter, Chicago Tribune, 6 Sep. 2026
Federal authorities have arrested and sought to deport pro-Palestinian activists, actions that judges have deemed a First Amendment violation.

— BrieAnna J. Frank, USA Today, 6 Sep. 2026

Definition of arrested

Verb

Oliver grabbed a hat-trick to take his tally for the season to seven in just four games after four against Leeds United the previous week.

— Rob Tanner, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
At 4 o’clock on a Thursday morning, Salomon Olea grabbed a packed lunch of a ham-and- cheese torta and a white peach, kissed his wife goodbye and left the home in Escondido he’s owned for nearly 30 years.

— Audrey McGlinchy, Los Angeles Times, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of grabbed

Verb

Brady House smacked a three-run homer, Jackson Kent pitched seven innings of one-run ball to earn his first major league win and the Washington Nationals beat the visiting Miami Marlins 9-2 on Friday.

— Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 29 Aug. 2026
In last fall’s season-opener, the Irish smacked Chicago Christian 47-6.

— Steve Millar, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of smacked

Verb

The airport authority voted 6-0 to rename the airport, but said the final name will be determined at a later date.

— Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 11 Sep. 2026
Its evolution and that of the surrounding estate have been determined by border disputes between papal states and grand duchies, by World Wars, and, in the second half of the 20th century, by brute economics, industrialization, and urbanization.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of determined

Verb

However, Calif notes that the WeChat vulnerability had existed for some time, meaning a human hacker could have uncovered it too.

— Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 8 Sep. 2026
Archaeologists recently uncovered the remains of a medieval village that was mysteriously abandoned in Germany — raising questions about why its residents packed up and left.

— Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 6 Sep. 2026