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
Jambert says the key to nailing the modern take on the movement is to seek a balance between the two.
—
Tessa Cooper, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Apr. 2026
But according to designers, nailing the maximalist look does require some restraint, especially for knick-knack collectors and those who love to save a buck by opting for more modest-sized rugs and art.
—Tessa Cooper, The Spruce, 17 Apr. 2026
Rolex’s sailing watch is a count-down chronograph with a programmable timing function for the difficult task of nailing the start of a sailing race.
—Allen Farmelo, Robb Report, 14 Apr. 2026
Capable of nailing the extraordinary, but messing up the mundane.
—Nick Miller, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2026
Of nailing one’s excuses to their own crosses and leaving them there.
—Colin Fleming, Chicago Tribune, 3 Apr. 2026
The Bruins’ main focus is on nailing details and to be present during every moment of their routines to score every possible point.
—Anthony Solorzano, Los Angeles Times, 2 Apr. 2026
Oddly enough, it was first popularized by Cowboys kicker Brandon Aubrey doing it in 2024 and unintentionally nailing a cheerleader in the head on the sideline in the process.
—Nick Harris
april 1, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 Apr. 2026
Mullins raised both arms in celebration of nailing the game-winning shot for UConn, creating a memorable moment that will forever be remembered as part of basketball history.
—Matthew Couden, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026
Tessa Cooper, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Apr. 2026
But according to designers, nailing the maximalist look does require some restraint, especially for knick-knack collectors and those who love to save a buck by opting for more modest-sized rugs and art.
—Tessa Cooper, The Spruce, 17 Apr. 2026
Rolex’s sailing watch is a count-down chronograph with a programmable timing function for the difficult task of nailing the start of a sailing race.
—Allen Farmelo, Robb Report, 14 Apr. 2026
Capable of nailing the extraordinary, but messing up the mundane.
—Nick Miller, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2026
Of nailing one’s excuses to their own crosses and leaving them there.
—Colin Fleming, Chicago Tribune, 3 Apr. 2026
The Bruins’ main focus is on nailing details and to be present during every moment of their routines to score every possible point.
—Anthony Solorzano, Los Angeles Times, 2 Apr. 2026
Oddly enough, it was first popularized by Cowboys kicker Brandon Aubrey doing it in 2024 and unintentionally nailing a cheerleader in the head on the sideline in the process.
—Nick Harris
april 1, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 Apr. 2026
Mullins raised both arms in celebration of nailing the game-winning shot for UConn, creating a memorable moment that will forever be remembered as part of basketball history.
—Matthew Couden, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nailing
Verb
-
Giants ace Logan Webb hitting the Dodgers’ Dalton Rushing with a pitch, as well as Rushing’s subsequent hard slide into shortstop Willy Adames, pale in comparison to the clashes between San Francisco and Los Angeles in the past.—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
24 Apr. 2026
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But the big ticket moment comes in the morning, when coffee is delivered to you in bed and the tent canopy is drawn to reveal the sun hitting the looming red rocks of the canyon.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
If something feels off, pause, step away, and check the details before deciding.—
Tarot.com,
The Orlando Sentinel,
20 Apr. 2026
-
In 2025, Canada canceled its popular annual showcase, after deciding that hostile policies made the risks not worth the rewards.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The staff kept operations running under armed guard for nearly three weeks, exposing personnel to radiation doses well beyond the limits of their normal rotation schedules.—
Hanna Arhirova,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Apr. 2026
-
During heavy rain, sewage can overflow into waterways, exposing people to toxic chemicals and harmful bacteria.—
Sofi Zeman,
Kansas City Star,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The video shows Timothy Brown's arrest last week in Brooklyn, in which the arresting officers can be seen repeatedly punching him, and shoving him to the ground.—
Jesse Zanger,
CBS News,
21 Apr. 2026
-
The raid left Charlotte’s Latin American population reeling but ICE agents kept up the pace statewide after the Border Patrol left, arresting an average of about 20 people per day in December, January and February.—
Caitlin McGlade,
Charlotte Observer,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The Jaguars used their first pick of the NFL draft to land the blocking tight end Friday night, grabbing him in the second round with the 56th selection.—
Mark Long,
The Orlando Sentinel,
25 Apr. 2026
-
The Seahawks stayed put yet again at the end of the second round, grabbing TCU safety Bud Clark with the 64th pick.—
Michael-Shawn Dugar,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The Iranians have been knocking around in the United States’ critical infrastructure for years.—
Sue Halpern,
New Yorker,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Serve it at room temperature so the salad on top won't wilt (and the cooking is complete before the guests come knocking).—
Ashlyn Ware,
Midwest Living,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
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This draft class will go a long way toward determining whether Glenn and Mougey stick around beyond 2026.—
Zack Rosenblatt,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
-
So home viewers should make sure to be looking at the streaming listings when determining when to tune in.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Against the backdrop of an island honeymoon, the two men clash and bicker before gradually uncovering an unexpected bond.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
21 Apr. 2026
-
Global financial officials warned at the IMF and World Bank spring meetings that advanced AI models—particularly Anthropic’s Claude Mythos—could pose systemic risks by rapidly uncovering and exploiting cyber vulnerabilities across banks and critical infrastructure.—
Jeremy Kahn,
Fortune,
21 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nailing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nailing. Accessed 27 Apr. 2026.
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