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

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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 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 july 7, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 July 2026 Bath & Body Works, however, nailed it by tapping Hilary Duff as the face of its new Fruit Fusion collection. — Katie Decker-Jacoby, StyleCaster, 7 July 2026 Bethell hit five fours and five sixes in his 46-ball stay, finishing the game alongside Jofra Archer as England nailed a four-wicket win with an over to spare. — ABC News, 4 July 2026 The How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days actor and his longtime love made their debut at the iconic tennis tournament—held annually at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in London, England—last year and nailed the dress code. — Meg Walters, InStyle, 3 July 2026 Drew nailed the transformation into the character Beverly Donofrio! — Angela Andaloro, PEOPLE, 1 July 2026 Morocco’s Ismael Saibari nailed the winning penalty kick to give Morocco the 3-2 win in the stage, advancing the squad to the Round of 16. — Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 30 June 2026 Teun Koopmeiners walked up for the Dutch and buried the first penalty and then Neil El Aynaoui nailed the bar for Morocco, putting the African champions behind. — Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 29 June 2026 Russell then nailed his start and held onto the lead, but not without pressure. — Madeline Coleman, New York Times, 14 June 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for nailed

Verb

Beyond Hicks’ contributions, Heriberto Hernandez and Owen Caissie hit home runs, while Lopez and Edwards each tallied a hit, while Jakob Marsee ended the game with a walk-off single in the bottom of the 10th inning.

— Tyler M. Carmona, Miami Herald, 8 July 2026
He was evaluated by the medical staff, hit in the cage and decided to play.

— Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 July 2026

Definition of hit

Verb

After more than an hour sheltering from the rain in the Ronald Reagan Building, Nadine Szewczyk, 67, decided to head back to her hotel.

— Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 5 July 2026
The suit last week is another sign that the utilities have decided to push back against criticism.

— Edmund H. Mahony, Hartford Courant, 5 July 2026

Definition of decided

Verb

Casemiro was able to coast through performances against poor Haiti and Scotland sides in two of Brazil’s group stage games, but Morocco provided much sterner opposition that exposed some worrying gaps in midfield.

— Mark Carey, New York Times, 6 July 2026
Authorities stopped letting people into the National Museum of African American History and Culture, with more than 1,000 sheltering outside the building and some exposed to the elements.

— Kyla Guilfoil, NBC news, 5 July 2026

Definition of exposed

Verb

There was briefly some concern earlier this year that Chestnut wouldn’t be able to participate in the 2026 competition after he was arrested for allegedly slapping a man in an Indiana bar.

— Kyla Guilfoil, NBC news, 5 July 2026
Authorities have arrested more than a half dozen people related in relation to Reflecting Pool damage, including former Olympian David Hearn, who was indicted last week on a felony of property destruction.

— Steve Peoples, Fortune, 5 July 2026

Definition of arrested

Verb

Eury Perez dominated with seven perfect innings, and the Miami Marlins smacked four homers before holding on for a wild 9-8 victory over the host Athletics on Sunday to complete a three-game sweep.

— Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 6 July 2026
Wyatt-Hodge, who launched the tournament two weeks ago with a century against Sri Lanka, smacked a 32-ball fifty.

— ABC News, ABC News, 24 June 2026

Definition of smacked

Verb

One died of blunt force trauma and heat stroke, eight others died of heat stroke, and two of the dogs had been cremated and no cause of death was determined, the office said.

— Phil Helsel, NBC news, 11 July 2026
Four years ago, England lost to France in the quarterfinals and is determined to go further this time around.

— Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 11 July 2026