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
The lack of reaction from Valdez after nailing his catcher in the stomach with a 93-mph fastball is rather telling.
—
Andrew Wright, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025
When asked about a crisp white, my server walked me through a couple on the menu, nailing it with a crisp, acidic Alexakis Assyrtiko from the Greek island of Crete.
—Rachel Bernhard, jsonline.com, 29 Aug. 2025
But then Eala, who won the junior title here three years ago, started nailing her ground strokes and Tauson went off the boil.
—Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2025
This is why nailing your startup’s marketing is inseparable from product strategy.
—Abdo Riani, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2025
Lacan once again came in clutch, nailing a 3-pointer from the top of the key at the end-of-quarter buzzer to push Connecticut back to a double-digit lead.
—Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 17 Aug. 2025
Following a struggling young actor's return home to New Jersey after his mother dies, the film interrogates themes like mental illness, medication, growing up, and falling in love, sometimes nailing the sentiments and other times falling short.
—James Mercadante, EW.com, 14 Aug. 2025
Basically, Bibb is totally nailing it.
—Christian Allaire, Vogue, 19 Mar. 2025
Jenni Kayne’s Pleated Skirt in Lemon, now nearly $80 off, might look like it’s taken straight off a spring 2025 runway but is actually a surprisingly fitting pick for nailing transitional-weather dressing.
—Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2019
Andrew Wright, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025
When asked about a crisp white, my server walked me through a couple on the menu, nailing it with a crisp, acidic Alexakis Assyrtiko from the Greek island of Crete.
—Rachel Bernhard, jsonline.com, 29 Aug. 2025
But then Eala, who won the junior title here three years ago, started nailing her ground strokes and Tauson went off the boil.
—Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2025
This is why nailing your startup’s marketing is inseparable from product strategy.
—Abdo Riani, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2025
Lacan once again came in clutch, nailing a 3-pointer from the top of the key at the end-of-quarter buzzer to push Connecticut back to a double-digit lead.
—Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 17 Aug. 2025
Following a struggling young actor's return home to New Jersey after his mother dies, the film interrogates themes like mental illness, medication, growing up, and falling in love, sometimes nailing the sentiments and other times falling short.
—James Mercadante, EW.com, 14 Aug. 2025
Basically, Bibb is totally nailing it.
—Christian Allaire, Vogue, 19 Mar. 2025
Jenni Kayne’s Pleated Skirt in Lemon, now nearly $80 off, might look like it’s taken straight off a spring 2025 runway but is actually a surprisingly fitting pick for nailing transitional-weather dressing.
—Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nailing
Verb
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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,
7 Sep. 2025
-
But the Braves came back with three runs in the eighth on an RBI single from Matt Olson, a run-scoring triple from the hot-hitting Ozzie Albies and a single from Drake Baldwin.—
David O'Brien,
New York Times,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The two stuck close to each other's sides while posing for the cameras, even deciding to share a smooch to celebrate the exciting night.—
Michelle Lee,
PEOPLE,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo said Sunday government officials did not conduct any data projections before deciding to roll back vaccine mandates to assess the impact this move would have on the state’s overall case numbers.—
Sarah Fortinsky,
The Hill,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Losing Hyperliquid’s billions would erase up to 10% of its revenue overnight, exposing its dependence on interest income and underscoring its vulnerability to client defection.—
Tomer Niv,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
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However, by 1999, both glaciers retreated and the northern tongue of the Alsek Glacier detached from a narrow island, exposing the glacier's terminus to more calving, Pelto noted.—
Soo Kim,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Joined later by singer Sarah Cracknell, Saint Etienne crafted catchy and arresting indie alternative dance-pop music that, over time, has incorporated other genres such as folktronica, acid house, ‘60s European pop and ambient.—
David Chiu,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
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Federal and immigration agents conducted a massive sweep on the plant in Ellabell, Georgia, arresting 475 people as part of an investigation into allegations of unlawful employment practices.—
Laya Neelakandan,
CNBC,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
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More than a month after his death, Ozzy Osbourne’s music has largely slipped away from the Billboard charts following the headline-grabbing news that one of rock’s founding fathers had passed away.—
Hugh McIntyre,
Forbes.com,
6 Sep. 2025
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SpaceX was also famously involved in funding and operating the headline-grabbing Polaris Dawn crewed commercial mission in September 2024.—
Eric Lagatta,
AZCentral.com,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Roughly 89 hours after landing in Buffalo, there Prater was knocking the game-winning, walk-off 32-yard field goal through the uprights to beat the Baltimore Ravens 41-40 in what could be the NFL’s game of the year.—
Joe Buscaglia,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
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Fall is officially knocking at our doors, which means last month’s linen sets and sandals just won’t cut it.—
Chaise Sanders,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Lawyers told ProPublica that determining ill intent would be key to prosecute.—
Robert Faturechi,
ProPublica,
6 Sep. 2025
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Both will be monumental in determining the final wild-card spot.—
Jaylon Thompson,
Kansas City Star,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The body of an Arizona man missing since December 2023 was found in a vehicle submerged in Lake Powell, where declining water levels are uncovering areas that have been hidden under water.—
Austin Corona,
AZCentral.com,
5 Sep. 2025
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Every day we’re given a new theme and then tasked with uncovering all the words on the grid that fit that theme, including a spangram that spans two sides of the board.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Nailing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nailing. Accessed 12 Sep. 2025.
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