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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of nailing
With so little margin for error, there is huge pressure on nailing the transition of equipment.
—
Ben Church, CNN Money, 18 Feb. 2026
There's just no nailing him down whatsoever.
—Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 17 Feb. 2026
Or at least nailing it with such bold definition.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 15 Feb. 2026
Below, the experts share their favorite colors for nailing the icy winter trend.
—Alexis Berger, InStyle, 15 Feb. 2026
The 21-year-old Virginia native gracefully moved up and down the ice, nailing a triple axel before coming into his change camel spin.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 10 Feb. 2026
Allen has been the essential leader of their resurgence, nailing difficult decisions that even Hall of Fame owners might get wrong.
—Jerry Brewer, New York Times, 4 Feb. 2026
Early looks at the costuming, including test images the show made public, came in for aggressive criticism — an indication both that the real couple was so dearly loved, and that the production wasn’t quite nailing it.
—Daniel D'addario, Variety, 3 Feb. 2026
The key to nailing any coordinated dressing is much like good eyebrows—they’re sisters not twins.
—Alexandra Hildreth, Vogue, 2 Feb. 2026
Ben Church, CNN Money, 18 Feb. 2026
There's just no nailing him down whatsoever.
—Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 17 Feb. 2026
Or at least nailing it with such bold definition.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 15 Feb. 2026
Below, the experts share their favorite colors for nailing the icy winter trend.
—Alexis Berger, InStyle, 15 Feb. 2026
The 21-year-old Virginia native gracefully moved up and down the ice, nailing a triple axel before coming into his change camel spin.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 10 Feb. 2026
Allen has been the essential leader of their resurgence, nailing difficult decisions that even Hall of Fame owners might get wrong.
—Jerry Brewer, New York Times, 4 Feb. 2026
Early looks at the costuming, including test images the show made public, came in for aggressive criticism — an indication both that the real couple was so dearly loved, and that the production wasn’t quite nailing it.
—Daniel D'addario, Variety, 3 Feb. 2026
The key to nailing any coordinated dressing is much like good eyebrows—they’re sisters not twins.
—Alexandra Hildreth, Vogue, 2 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nailing
Verb
-
Tire tread depth - Checking your tire tread before hitting the road is important, as low or no tread can lead to sliding.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Bench coach Jeff Pickler, third base coach Andy Gonzalez, first base coach Doug Bernier, assistant hitting coach Jordan Pacheco and Schaeffer all took players aside to point out the nuances of the contact play.—
Patrick Saunders,
Denver Post,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Denver’s return from the bye week in Washington was anything but pretty defensively until Nik Bonitto made one of the plays of the season, batting down a deciding two-point conversion attempt in overtime and sealing the Broncos’ eighth straight win.—
Parker Gabriel,
Denver Post,
15 Feb. 2026
-
Of course, not all airports serve the same destinations, and differences in travel time and parking fees should be considered when deciding which airport to depart from.—
Kelly McGreal,
FOXNews.com,
15 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Amazon has often fielded criticism of its warehouse working conditions, and has been cited in the past for exposing workers to ergonomic hazards.—
Glenn Taylor,
Sourcing Journal,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Over the following days, the individual visited a few San Gabriel Valley fast food restaurants, potentially exposing others to the measles virus.—
Andrew J. Campa,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
On July 17, 2014, Orta took video of then-NYPD Officer Daniel Pantaleo putting Garner in a fatal chokehold and pulling him to the ground while arresting him for selling loose cigarettes on Staten Island.—
John Annese,
New York Daily News,
18 Feb. 2026
-
That means questioning, investigating, and in some cases arresting people for civil immigration violations – authority traditionally reserved for federal officers.—
Jaclyn Diaz,
NPR,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Within a few blocks of the hotel are also many spots worthy of grabbing a tasty bite or a drink—Bamboo Sushi, Radio Room, and Walter French's, to name a few.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
20 Feb. 2026
-
What’s particularly exciting is how many films are grabbing dates in ’27 and ’28.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Japan’s Kaori Sakamoto and Ami Nakai and Glenn's teammate Alysa Liu followed and overtook her score, knocking her off the podium.—
Greg Rosenstein,
NBC news,
20 Feb. 2026
-
In the hunt for their own goal, the Americans kept knocking on the door, but couldn’t break through.—
Sean Gregory,
Time,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Investigators are still determining why the substation was targeted.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
21 Feb. 2026
-
InsureandGo set out to put some debate to rest by determining the world’s most authentic destinations for discerning travelers.—
Lydia Price,
Travel + Leisure,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Then there are traders uncovering information hiding on websites for a handsome payday.—
Bobby Allyn,
NPR,
17 Feb. 2026
-
Powerful new instruments are uncovering the universe's secrets.—
Paul Sutter,
Space.com,
16 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nailing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nailing. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
