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
On the playoff hole, Cole just missed his birdie attempt, then Henley nailed his from just under 5 feet.
—
Lawrence Dow, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 31 May 2026
Lynch had pushed referee Jessica Carr in front of her as Ruca nailed a Sol Snatcher.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 31 May 2026
Whitfield completely nailed it that night.
—Brett Milano, Boston Herald, 29 May 2026
After each had nailed their eighth respective word, officials carried a sleek silver podium — with a buzzer on top — onto the stage, prompting huge gasps from the crowd.
—Rachel Treisman, NPR, 29 May 2026
The ball still came back, but Starodubtseva nailed a swinging backhand volley to get to match point.
—Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 27 May 2026
From glam nights out to chill days at the beach to elevated city strolls, Hadid really has nailed every aspect of the vacation wardrobe.
—Meg Walters, InStyle, 27 May 2026
Lizzo nailed it by bringing something familiar and beloved into the moment with her signature creativity and energy.
—Molly Burford, Southern Living, 27 May 2026
Flair nailed Mihin with a back body drop and nearly got the tag to Ripley, but B-Fab prevented it with a big clothesline.
—Blake Oestriecher, Forbes.com, 24 May 2026
Lawrence Dow, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 31 May 2026
Lynch had pushed referee Jessica Carr in front of her as Ruca nailed a Sol Snatcher.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 31 May 2026
Whitfield completely nailed it that night.
—Brett Milano, Boston Herald, 29 May 2026
After each had nailed their eighth respective word, officials carried a sleek silver podium — with a buzzer on top — onto the stage, prompting huge gasps from the crowd.
—Rachel Treisman, NPR, 29 May 2026
The ball still came back, but Starodubtseva nailed a swinging backhand volley to get to match point.
—Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 27 May 2026
From glam nights out to chill days at the beach to elevated city strolls, Hadid really has nailed every aspect of the vacation wardrobe.
—Meg Walters, InStyle, 27 May 2026
Lizzo nailed it by bringing something familiar and beloved into the moment with her signature creativity and energy.
—Molly Burford, Southern Living, 27 May 2026
Flair nailed Mihin with a back body drop and nearly got the tag to Ripley, but B-Fab prevented it with a big clothesline.
—Blake Oestriecher, Forbes.com, 24 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nailed
Verb
-
The Rockies’ Kyle Karros hit an opposite-field line drive that carried to the right-field warning track, but Lee tracked down the potential extra-base hit on the run, then crashed into the chain-link portion of the fence.—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
30 May 2026
-
The hitting coaches have been really emphasizing it.—
Jeff Fletcher,
Oc Register,
30 May 2026
Verb
-
In March 2016, when the owners closed the restaurant, Joel decided to turn a setback into an opportunity.—
Ruben Vives,
Los Angeles Times,
7 June 2026
-
The pair decided to study the canyons — which are a six-hour drive from WCU in Gunnison — after reading about the recession of Powell and the canyons coming back to life.—
Elise Schmelzer,
Denver Post,
7 June 2026
Verb
-
Lab tests showed that the plants without the active inceptin receptor failed to emit this volatile blend when exposed to either the synthetic In11 peptide or actual caterpillar oral secretions.—
Jacek Krywko,
ArsTechnica,
3 June 2026
-
Lilies Lilies were the most toxic plants cats were exposed to in 2025, according to the ASPCA Poison Control, with daylilies falling closely behind.—
Amy DeYoung,
USA Today,
3 June 2026
Verb
-
Baltimore Police say Lunn was arrested less than a week later, after a person who saw a Metro Crime Stoppers flyer on the news called in a tip.—
CBS Baltimore Staff,
CBS News,
7 June 2026
-
Alvarez, his brother and his mother were arrested later that year.—
Stephanie Nolasco,
FOXNews.com,
6 June 2026
Verb
-
He's also grabbed 10 rebounds and dished out 4 assists.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
4 June 2026
-
Spurs reserve Harrison Barnes accidentally collided with Brunson's right knee while falling to the floor, and the Knicks star immediately grabbed at the leg in apparent pain.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
4 June 2026
Verb
-
Tech infielder Alex Hernandez, who starred in the ACC championship game last weekend, smacked a game-tying two-run homer before an out was recorded in the bottom of the frame.—
Gabriel Burns,
AJC.com,
29 May 2026
-
In a 3-2 second-round win against La Costa Canyon, Point Loma smacked two solo homers in the bottom of the seventh.—
Don Norcross,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 May 2026
Verb
-
Officers determined that the dog belonged to the man and woman involved in the original disturbance and arrested the woman on charges of felony domestic violence and felony assault with a deadly weapon.—
Velvet Wu
June 1,
Sacbee.com,
1 June 2026
-
The duration of such a probation typically depends on whether a defendant is determined to be successfully rehabilitated.—
Logan Smith,
CBS News,
1 June 2026
Verb
-
Based on analysis of artifacts uncovered at the site, a team of Spanish archaeologists believes this may have served as an ancient copper smelting spot, with far more frequent occupation by humans than previously thought.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
1 June 2026
-
After plans to turn open space promised for a park into a California Highway Patrol substation were uncovered, citizens went ballistic.—
Chadd Scott,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nailed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nailed. Accessed 8 Jun. 2026.
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