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 Lee nailed the series in Paris to help propel Team USA to gold in the team final, and later claimed bronze in the all-around and on the uneven bars. — Caroline Price, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026 Only this past week, Charles took a swig and decided the master brewers, Tim and Shaun Wilson at East Rock, had nailed it. — Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 18 July 2026 The gambrel-roof’s shingles were pegged into roof beams rather than nailed, and the lath that held its plaster walls together was woven in place rather than nailed, according to an architectural survey of the county. — Mark Price july 17, Charlotte Observer, 17 July 2026 Red Schoendienst tried to steal a run for the NL after Stone was summoned in the eighth inning, but the pitcher’s throw to the plate nailed the runner for the third out. — Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 13 July 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 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for nailed

Verb

As thousands of professors at in the University of California system say the students entering their classrooms are increasingly under-prepared for university-level math, the university’s timely graduation rates just hit all-time highs.

— Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 22 July 2026
Average daily rates in Miami hit $302 for both game nights and eves, according to AirDNA.

— Vinod Sreeharsha, Miami Herald, 22 July 2026

Definition of hit

Verb

Their brain has already decided where the answer is most likely to be, and everything outside that expectation receives very little attention.

— Dr. Diane Hamilton, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2026
Bardstown Bourbon Company, which is well known for indulging its experimental impulses, decided to blend together bourbon and rye and finish it in pineapple rum barrels with pieces of pineapple added to the whiskey for good measure.

— Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 2 Aug. 2026

Definition of decided

Verb

That has aligned the region with the United States — and exposed their AI assets to Iranian attacks, noted Helima Croft, head of global strategy at RBC Capital Markets.

— David Goldman, CNN Money, 3 Aug. 2026
Across France and Spain, megafires have scorched vast forests, displaced more than 300,000 people and exposed how a warming Europe is turning summer wildfire seasons into continent-wide emergencies.

— Elena Becatoros, Los Angeles Times, 2 Aug. 2026

Definition of exposed

Verb

Two people were arrested — an electrical engineer responsible for designing and overseeing the power project, and a contractor involved in constructing the electricity transmission network.

— ABC News, ABC News, 3 Aug. 2026
Martin was then immediately handcuffed and arrested as the little girl’s cries were heard from inside the car.

— Desiree Anello, PEOPLE, 2 Aug. 2026

Definition of arrested

Verb

His teacher grabbed him and ran him bleeding down the halls, in circles, screaming through the school until help caught up.

— Gabriel Winslow-Yost, New Yorker, 30 July 2026
Bryan Kohberger’s innocence claim and the smoky skies of Boise grabbed the attention the past two days.

— Chadd Cripe. Produced with AI assistance, Idaho Statesman, 30 July 2026

Definition of grabbed

Verb

The Tampa Bay Rays third baseman smacked a 463-foot whopper late last month.

— Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 13 July 2026
Almost two years ago, China’s east coast was smacked by one of the strongest storms in decades, which temporarily halted container operations at both Shanghai and Ningbo ports.

— Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 8 July 2026

Definition of smacked

Verb

Those guys had first- and second-round talent, at least as determined by the 32 teams.

— Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 1 Aug. 2026
Worth said the total restoration cost has not yet been determined but that there are several non-city funding sources available to pay for the restoration, including the sale of historic tax credits, as well as naming rights.

— Tess Riski July 31, Miami Herald, 31 July 2026

Definition of determined

Verb

Michigan announced Manuel’s departure Monday, citing issues uncovered by the Jenner & Block investigation into the culture and practices of Michigan’s athletic department.

— Austin Meek, New York Times, 21 July 2026
Two 1970s murals by Chilean artist Julio Escámez, long thought to have been destroyed by Augusto Pinochet’s military regime, are currently in the process of being uncovered and restored.

— Anne Doran, ARTnews.com, 21 July 2026