Synonyms of nailing

nailing

verb

present participle of nail

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

• hitting
• knocking
• slapping
• smacking
• slamming
• punching
• banging
• whacking
• pounding
• striking
• clipping
• clapping
• cracking
• swiping
• batting
• hammering
• kicking
• tapping
• bashing
• thumping
• licking
• swatting
• pushing
• poking
• bobbing
• socking
• jabbing
• shoving
• chopping
• boxing
• clobbering
• rapping
• slugging
• clouting
• flicking
• belting
• zapping
• bopping
• clocking
• thwacking
• tagging
• pasting
• smiting
• busting
• bludgeoning
• stabbing
• walloping
• bonking
• slogging
• stroking
• bumping
• biffing
• whaling
• beating
• pummeling
• mangling
• battering
• peppering
• cuffing
• slashing
• stamping
• mauling
• lashing
• hanging one on
• roughing
• lambasting
• pelting
• whipping
• dumping
• butting
• bunging
• scuffing
• buffeting
• prodding
• bunting
• kneeing
• spearing
• decking
• drubbing
• switching
• lacing
• jostling
• sapping
• creaming
• pommeling
• flailing
• leveling
• flooring
• flogging
• braining
• felling
• clubbing
• bowling (down or over)
• cudgeling
• thrashing
• sledgehammering
• caning
• knocking down
• sledging
• conking
• skulling
• sucker punching
• beaning
• rabbit-punching

2

as in deciding

to make final, definite, or beyond dispute

this latest infidelity nails it—I'm filing for divorce

Synonyms & Similar Words

• deciding
• determining
• settling
• clinching
• defining
• clarifying
• proving
• establishing
• securing
• showing
• ensuring
• insuring
• assuring
• demonstrating
• specifying
• affirming
• illuminating
• stating
• finishing
• ending
• nailing (down)
• stipulating
• concluding
• clearing (up)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• muddling
• confusing
• unsettling
• muddying

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

• exposing
• uncovering
• demolishing
• undressing
• unmasking
• debunking
• disclosing
• discrediting
• showing up
• telling
• disproving
• blowing the whistle on
• uncloaking
• divulging
• unveiling

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• masking
• disguising
• concealing
• hiding
• camouflaging
• secreting
• cloaking
• veiling

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

• arresting
• seizing
• grabbing
• apprehending
• restraining
• capturing
• detaining
• pinching
• nicking
• committing
• busting
• nabbing
• snatching
• catching
• running in
• collaring
• trapping
• jailing
• pulling in
• snaring
• hooking
• imprisoning
• bagging
• landing
• picking up
• confining
• grappling
• holding
• incarcerating
• handcuffing
• getting
• binding
• shackling
• snapping (up)
• locking (up)
• interning
• jugging
• fettering
• remanding
• trammeling
• enchaining
• immuring
• manacling
• rearresting

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• discharging
• springing
• releasing
• freeing
• loosening
• liberating
• loosing
• emancipating
• unchaining
• unbinding

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

• grabbing
• catching
• snatching
• capturing
• seizing
• landing
• getting
• trapping
• snagging
• snaring
• hooking
• nabbing
• corralling
• bagging
• rapping
• grappling
• netting
• copping
• collaring
• taking hold (of)
• snapping (up)
• holding
• arresting
• roping
• nobbling
• glomming
• securing
• clutching
• grasping
• apprehending
• lassoing
• gripping
• detaining
• gloving
• clasping
• cornering
• kidnapping
• abducting
• entrapping
• rending
• baying
• wresting
• meshing
• haltering
• ensnaring
• latching (on or onto)
• entangling
• fisting
• fastening (on)
• enmeshing
• spiriting (away or off)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• missing
• releasing
• freeing
• discharging
• liberating
• dropping
• loosening
• unhanding

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of nailing

The San Diego native has started all 24 of UCLA’s games during his two seasons in Westwood, nailing 36 of his 44 field-goal attempts, including five out his nine attempts from at least 50 yards. — Connor Dullinger, Los Angeles Times, 24 Aug. 2026

But the point of the Neo is that it eschews frills and frippery in favor of nailing the basics. — ArsTechnica, 24 Aug. 2026

For a team on the edge of the wild-card race, nailing that balance is crucial. — Mitch Bannon, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026

What were your thoughts on the discourse around people recreating the dance move from the GIF, and not exactly nailing it? — Chris Murphy, Vanity Fair, 18 Aug. 2026

The Olympian looked confident, nailing her first two tumbling passes with almost no landing errors. — Caroline Price, Forbes.com, 9 Aug. 2026

Making good on his promise in The Holdovers, Dominic Sessa is excellent in the role, nailing the contradictory aspects of a slippery character while mapping his coming-of-age arc with empathy and honesty. — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 29 July 2026

Ankle socks, meanwhile, are optional but highly recommended for nailing the preppy-cool look. — India Roby, Glamour, 20 July 2026

Russian performance artist Pyotr Pavlensky, known for extreme political actions including nailing his scrotum to Moscow’s Red Square and setting fire to the FSB headquarters, faces losing his refugee status in France. — Harrison Jacobs, ARTnews.com, 17 July 2026