1
as in hitting
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 deciding
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 exposing
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 arresting
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 grabbing
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 nailing
For me, the feeling of nailing a big, screen-clearing combo while the music swells to a crescendo is well worth the grind.
—
PC Magazine, 4 Nov. 2025
Nonetheless, Carolina upset the Packers, 16-13, with Fitzgerald nailing the game-winning 49-yarder.
—Chris Bumbaca, USA Today, 3 Nov. 2025
On the fifth attempt, Jeppe Tverskov also sent his shot too high, nailing the crossbar and leaving the door open for Portland.
—Austin White, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Nov. 2025
Thankfully, Powell and Mattfeld are pros, nailing the pitch and catch on both takes.
—Angelique Jackson, Variety, 28 Oct. 2025
Two of Chicago's four wins have come in late-game situations against the Las Vegas Raiders and Washington Commanders, either by blocking the opponents' field goal attempt or nailing one after a big defensive play.
—Matthew Couden, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Oct. 2025
But Crowe was set on nailing one particular scene, where Hudson’s character, the groupie Penny Lane, attempts suicide by overdosing on quaaludes.
—Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 24 Oct. 2025
At the end, though, kicker Wil Lutz played the hero, nailing a walk-off 39-yarder through the uprights as time expired.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 20 Oct. 2025
Rookie kicker Ryan Fitzgerald nailing the game-winning, 33-yard field goal as time expired.
—Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 12 Oct. 2025
PC Magazine, 4 Nov. 2025
Nonetheless, Carolina upset the Packers, 16-13, with Fitzgerald nailing the game-winning 49-yarder.
—Chris Bumbaca, USA Today, 3 Nov. 2025
On the fifth attempt, Jeppe Tverskov also sent his shot too high, nailing the crossbar and leaving the door open for Portland.
—Austin White, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Nov. 2025
Thankfully, Powell and Mattfeld are pros, nailing the pitch and catch on both takes.
—Angelique Jackson, Variety, 28 Oct. 2025
Two of Chicago's four wins have come in late-game situations against the Las Vegas Raiders and Washington Commanders, either by blocking the opponents' field goal attempt or nailing one after a big defensive play.
—Matthew Couden, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Oct. 2025
But Crowe was set on nailing one particular scene, where Hudson’s character, the groupie Penny Lane, attempts suicide by overdosing on quaaludes.
—Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 24 Oct. 2025
At the end, though, kicker Wil Lutz played the hero, nailing a walk-off 39-yarder through the uprights as time expired.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 20 Oct. 2025
Rookie kicker Ryan Fitzgerald nailing the game-winning, 33-yard field goal as time expired.
—Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 12 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nailing
Verb
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Gausman had retired 17 straight Dodger batters until the seventh inning, when Smith yet again got the best of him, hitting a solo home run to break the stale mate.—
Jacob Lev,
CNN Money,
26 Oct. 2025
-
The singing voices behind KPop Demon Hunters' beloved girl group HUNTR/X will be hitting the stage to perform live in concert for the first time.—
Ingrid Vasquez,
PEOPLE,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Still, the toll of deciding to sit Curry on some nights for rest weighs on him.—
Nick Friedell,
New York Times,
31 Oct. 2025
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Following the public comment period which ended Thursday, the TCEQ will respond to the concerns in writing before deciding whether to issue a permit that would allow the project to move forward.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Continue reading … RADICAL TAKEOVER – Mamdani's socialist allies praise video exposing their plan to infiltrate Dem Party.—
,
FOXNews.com,
3 Nov. 2025
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Using this, the team, after exposing and developing a wafer, rapidly froze the developer to 32°F (–175°C), stopping everything in place.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
2 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The four-day operation focused on identifying and arresting people suspected of using online platforms to prey on children.—
Robert Alexander,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Oct. 2025
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Turner spoke with an arresting conviction, locating Canada’s fate in geography, history, and its defining quest to defy manifest destiny and political gravity.—
Dónal Gill,
The Dial,
28 Oct. 2025
Verb
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These are especially useful for taking public transport, grabbing a quick coffee, or leaving a small tip at a restaurant.—
Asia London Palomba,
Travel + Leisure,
25 Oct. 2025
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Peterson led the way, scoring 26 points — 24 before halftime — and grabbing four rebounds.—
Shreyas Laddha,
Kansas City Star,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
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There were plenty of upsets, from Houston falling to West Virginia to SMU potentially knocking Miami out of the playoffs one week after the Mustangs lost to Wake Forest.—
Steven Johnson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
2 Nov. 2025
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Door knocking is an important part of campaigning, according to Jeff Lyons, an associate professor at Boise State University.—
Idaho Statesman,
Idaho Statesman,
2 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Barton’s story bears a striking resemblance to the narrative outlined in Corcoran’s legal claim and suggests the franchise was enjoying demonstrable success at a time that could be critical to determining if and how much she is owed.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
31 Oct. 2025
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This sparked an investigation by the NBA, with the league determining Rozier did not violate NBA rules.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Zelenitsky was not involved in the new research, but her team’s ongoing work in Alberta uncovering fossil eggshells linked to diverse dinosaur species aligns with the findings about stable dinosaur populations.—
Ashley Strickland,
CNN Money,
23 Oct. 2025
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Tracing how those flavors change is central to uncovering neutrinos’ role in the evolution of the cosmos.—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
23 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Nailing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nailing. Accessed 8 Nov. 2025.
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