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
However, with four Gators defensive linemen out, Miami proved UF will bend with pressure, with 78 of its 184 ground yards in the fourth quarter while scoring two coffin-nailing touchdowns.
—
Noah White, Miami Herald, 30 Sep. 2025
Granite Hills took advantage with Jacob Nunez nailing a 31-yard field goal.
—John Maffei, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Sep. 2025
The first song found the K-pop superstar delivering raw vocals over reverberating guitar and nailing delicate runs.
—Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 26 Sep. 2025
Pick spots in the wood for nailing that are dark enough to hide them.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 25 Sep. 2025
The key to nailing this look without veering into kitsch, says Kehoe, is to establish a foundation with color and texture, then add in unique items that reflect your personal style.
—Abbey Stone, Bon Appetit Magazine, 23 Sep. 2025
This chunky-but-lightweight pair adds polish to any look without trying too hard—the key to nailing Portuguese style.
—Becca Blond, Travel + Leisure, 10 Sep. 2025
After nailing Madigan’s position, Satkovich went in to add more lipstick.
—Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 4 Sep. 2025
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
Noah White, Miami Herald, 30 Sep. 2025
Granite Hills took advantage with Jacob Nunez nailing a 31-yard field goal.
—John Maffei, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Sep. 2025
The first song found the K-pop superstar delivering raw vocals over reverberating guitar and nailing delicate runs.
—Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 26 Sep. 2025
Pick spots in the wood for nailing that are dark enough to hide them.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 25 Sep. 2025
The key to nailing this look without veering into kitsch, says Kehoe, is to establish a foundation with color and texture, then add in unique items that reflect your personal style.
—Abbey Stone, Bon Appetit Magazine, 23 Sep. 2025
This chunky-but-lightweight pair adds polish to any look without trying too hard—the key to nailing Portuguese style.
—Becca Blond, Travel + Leisure, 10 Sep. 2025
After nailing Madigan’s position, Satkovich went in to add more lipstick.
—Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 4 Sep. 2025
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
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.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
5 Oct. 2025
-
The Dodgers are one of the better teams in baseball at hitting changeups from lefties like Sánchez.—
Charlotte Varnes,
New York Times,
5 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Perhaps Moreno was still deciding on Minasian’s status with the club.—
Sam Blum,
New York Times,
5 Oct. 2025
-
The new wording also gives the council wiggle room in deciding the city manager's annual salary, contract term and amount of severance pay.—
Maritza Dominguez,
AZCentral.com,
4 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Leaf blowers of any kind may disturb wildlife habitat and contribute to soil erosion by removing organic matter and exposing the top layer of soil.—
Luke Miller,
Better Homes & Gardens,
28 Sep. 2025
-
Rookie quarterback Cam Ward has shown flashes but has already been sacked 15 times, exposing major cracks in Tennessee's offensive line.—
Ben Verbrugge,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
In addition to arresting musicians, Russian authorities have designated many of them as foreign agents, including Noize MC, who left Russia soon after the war broke out.—
Anna Nemtsova,
The Atlantic,
30 Sep. 2025
-
Sophia Loren has long captivated audiences with her regal beauty and arresting onscreen presence.—
Juliana Ukiomogbe,
Architectural Digest,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Securing the Shield ensures the top seed for Philly and home-field advantage throughout the MLS Cup playoffs for a team that has quietly gone about a consistent season without grabbing much in the way of attention.—
The Athletic Staff,
New York Times,
5 Oct. 2025
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Without strangers lunging at her and grabbing her forearm.—
Romina Ruiz-Goiriena,
USA Today,
4 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Omarion Hampton injured his ankle, knocking him out of the game.—
Michael Salfino,
New York Times,
6 Oct. 2025
-
Some rope and stanchion kept them from knock, knocking on the wood.—
Bryan West,
Nashville Tennessean,
5 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Louisville Metro officials are now determining local zoning rules to accommodate these new facilities, with a proposal to allow them in downtown without special permits.—
Killian Baarlaer,
Louisville Courier Journal,
3 Oct. 2025
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The Federal Emergency Management Agency has some resources for determining this measurement, which is called the Base Flood Elevation, or BFE.—
Andrea Riquier,
USA Today,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Each episode saw an actor pose as a teenager, uncovering a child predator in an anonymous online setting before reeling them in for an in-person meeting.—
J. Kim Murphy,
Variety,
3 Oct. 2025
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Chong Keat Aun’s Mother Bhumi stars Fan Bingbing as a woman in a Malaysian village in the 1990s uncovering the truth behind her husband’s death, while Zhang Lu, fresh from winning Busan’s Best Film Award for Gloaming In Luomu, is premiering Mothertongue, also starring Bai Baihe, in Tokyo.—
Liz Shackleton,
Deadline,
1 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Nailing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nailing. Accessed 7 Oct. 2025.
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