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
Two seasons ago, the Cavaliers guard broke their hearts in dramatic fashion by nailing a game-winner from well beyond half court.
—
Mike Curtis, Dallas Morning News, 15 Mar. 2026
As the cameras flashed, Zendaya effortlessly transitioned from one position to the next, nailing every pose.
—Chanel Vargas, InStyle, 15 Mar. 2026
So what’s the key to nailing this elevated style in your home this year?
—Cori Sears, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 Mar. 2026
Landing a premium pick in this year’s draft — and nailing the selection — is of the utmost importance.
—Vincent Z. Mercogliano, New York Times, 13 Mar. 2026
Playing in the Salt Lake City arena where Michael Jordan iced his final NBA championship, Northwestern guard Bryant McIntosh scored a game-high 25 points, nailing 10 of 16 from the field and two game-winning free throws.
—Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 12 Mar. 2026
In the pre-cellphone-camera era, live performances were a second chance at nailing it.
—Hazlitt, 11 Mar. 2026
Second baseman Donovan Walton made a nice pick of catcher Sebastian Rivero’s throw in the dirt, nailing a runner stealing second.
—Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 8 Mar. 2026
With so little margin for error, there is huge pressure on nailing the transition of equipment.
—Ben Church, CNN Money, 18 Feb. 2026
Mike Curtis, Dallas Morning News, 15 Mar. 2026
As the cameras flashed, Zendaya effortlessly transitioned from one position to the next, nailing every pose.
—Chanel Vargas, InStyle, 15 Mar. 2026
So what’s the key to nailing this elevated style in your home this year?
—Cori Sears, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 Mar. 2026
Landing a premium pick in this year’s draft — and nailing the selection — is of the utmost importance.
—Vincent Z. Mercogliano, New York Times, 13 Mar. 2026
Playing in the Salt Lake City arena where Michael Jordan iced his final NBA championship, Northwestern guard Bryant McIntosh scored a game-high 25 points, nailing 10 of 16 from the field and two game-winning free throws.
—Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 12 Mar. 2026
In the pre-cellphone-camera era, live performances were a second chance at nailing it.
—Hazlitt, 11 Mar. 2026
Second baseman Donovan Walton made a nice pick of catcher Sebastian Rivero’s throw in the dirt, nailing a runner stealing second.
—Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 8 Mar. 2026
With so little margin for error, there is huge pressure on nailing the transition of equipment.
—Ben Church, CNN Money, 18 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nailing
Verb
-
Gerhardt Konig hoped Thursday to persuade a Hawaiian jury that hitting his wife repeatedly with a rock was self-defense.—
April 2,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
-
The film also was shown at a number of other festivals before hitting the awards circuit as the Palestinian entry for this year’s Academy Awards.—
Zach Dennis,
Charlotte Observer,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Global firms consider enforcement regimes when deciding where to locate research, production, and scaling operations.—
Laura Peter,
Fortune,
29 Mar. 2026
-
Even experienced players can misread a pitch by inches, which makes deciding whether to challenge even more difficult.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Dallas Area Rapid Transit narrowly escaped a slate of six withdrawal elections that could have shrunk the public transportation system significantly this year, exposing challenges the agency faces in providing bus, train and other transit services over a sprawling region.—
Lilly Kersh,
Dallas Morning News,
28 Mar. 2026
-
Iran is exposing the limits of a presidency built on bluff, improvisation and submission rituals.—
Fareed Zakaria,
Washington Post,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Federal officials reinstated the 1998 order in February after arresting her.—
Sophie Austin,
Los Angeles Times,
1 Apr. 2026
-
However, just before the ceremony was set to begin, two officials from the county's sheriff's office halted the wedding by arresting Armstrong.—
Rachel Raposas,
PEOPLE,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Kaufman-Renn hit his first seven shots — going 6-for-6 and grabbing five rebounds in the first half — on the way to 20 points.—
Janie McCauley,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Agents targeted grocery stores, churches, and construction sites, smashing car windows and pulling people from vehicles or grabbing them at a hardware store parking lot.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Things got worse for the Wild a few shifts later when Spurgeon foiled a Florida rush to the Minnesota net, but went down at full speed and slid hard into the goalpost, knocking the net off the moorings.—
Jess Myers,
Twin Cities,
27 Mar. 2026
-
The level 3 out of 5, or the area with numerous severe thunderstorms, is literally knocking on the door.—
Ray Petelin,
CBS News,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The police chief said the department hired an outside firm to investigate the entire ordeal, which includes determining why the patrol was left unlocked.—
Matthew Rodriguez,
CBS News,
28 Mar. 2026
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The numbers, often delayed because of the process of determining overdose deaths, were released this month based on information available March 1 by the federal National Vital Statistics System.—
Kaitlin Coward,
Boston Herald,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
There was a sense of anticipation in the air, the kind reserved for the thrill of uncovering something special.—
Minty Mellon,
Vogue,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Scientists have unraveled a 40‑year‑old mystery at the heart of sleeping sickness, uncovering how a deadly parasite behind the life-threatening disease repeatedly slips past the human immune system and survives long enough to cause serious illness.—
Melissa Fleur Afshar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nailing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nailing. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
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