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

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

Until now, maybe no product has come closer to nailing the smart home than Philips Hue. — David Pierce, The Verge, 12 July 2026

And for a team that hasn’t met expectations so far this season, nailing the on-base celebration is probably more important than a lot of fans might think. — Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026

However, Boston quickly erased its deficit, nailing back-to-back-to-back 4-point shots, much to the excitement of Ice Cube and the crowd. — Ava Dicecca, Sun Sentinel, 5 July 2026

From shopping for clothes to nailing Parisian style in the heart of the city itself to snagging groceries to make a meal at your Airbnb, these bags are a sneaky hack to streamline your travel days. — Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 26 June 2026

Ellis reminded the crowd of attendees at the international festival of creativity that marketers have to protect their brands but also be adventurous to capture consumer attention and goodwill for nailing a moment a la L’Oreal and Durant. — Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 24 June 2026