NAILS Synonyms: 243 Similar and Opposite Words

nails

verb

present tense third-person singular of nail

as in bangs

to deliver a blow to (someone or something) usually in a strong vigorous manner the boxer nailed his opponent with a devastating left hook

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Relevance

as in decides

to make final, definite, or beyond dispute this latest infidelity nails it—I'm filing for divorce

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in exposes

to reveal the true nature of an investigative report that nailed the teenage novelist as someone who had plagiarized the works of others

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as in arrests

to take or keep under one's control by authority of law the very first time I tried to steal anything, I got nailed

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as in grabs

to take physical control or possession of (something) suddenly or forcibly the running back saw the pass coming in and nailed it

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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 nails There is something about that scene that nails the nuance of being gutted by the crimes of powerful, entitled men. — Beandrea July, IndieWire, 14 Sep. 2026 Baleaf consistently nails budget-friendly performance wear, and these capris are no exception. — Francesca Krempa, Travel + Leisure, 3 Sep. 2026 Plus, Sumosan nails Japanese fusion cuisine, fresh sushi and creative cocktails by the beach. — Stephanie Orma, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026 And then there’s the Intergovernmental Cooperation Act, which basically nails the federal government for not consulting with the county or state on the project. — Nick Bhasin, Mercury News, 28 July 2026 Below, find the best of the trending, minimalist ’90s nails to see you through summer into fall, and the pictures to show your nail artist. — Lorena Meouchi, Vogue, 23 July 2026 Either way, Ettika nails this jewelry trend with this three-piece layered necklace. — Katie Decker-Jacoby, StyleCaster, 22 July 2026 Amenities and experiences Faraway nails the details and has thought of all of the mountain necessities. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 14 July 2026 Greece nails oodles of desirable attributes, according to Henley & Partners, a company that provides residence and citizenship planning. — Scott Hocker, TheWeek, 14 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for nails

Verb

Especially the guy who bangs a wrecking ball against the historic East Wing to make room for an incongruous ballroom monstrosity, who mars the sacred Oval Office with gold glitter and paves over the lovely Rose Garden.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
When selecting the perfect of-the-moment style for you (Jane Birkin bangs?

— Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 8 June 2026

Definition of bangs

Verb

The district, which governs most public roads in Ada County, often manages traffic and decides, for example, when to widen local streets.

— Idaho Statesman, Idaho Statesman, 17 Sep. 2026
All 23 contestants will start as Faithfuls before Cumming decides which (typically) three players will become Traitors.

— Nicole Fell, HollywoodReporter, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of decides

Verb

Continue reading … 'INSULTING' — Ex-Dem insider exposes what Harris told top donors days before Biden dropped out.

— , FOXNews.com, 15 Sep. 2026
Treating them as interchangeable exposes organizations to operational, regulatory and security risks that governance frameworks were never designed to address.

— Neeraj Sabharwal, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of exposes

Verb

Keith arrests our thinking, and cons us into suppressing our critical faculties with the same kind of internalized surveillance that philosopher Michel Foucault broke down to describe a prison’s use of the panopticon in Discipline and Punish.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 19 May 2026
Devlin throws a punch at Stone when the chief arrests him for drunken driving.

— Sandra Dallas, Denver Post, 19 Apr. 2026

Definition of arrests

Verb

Mookie Betts hits three doubles and the Dodgers surge for 15 hits to overcome a shaky start by Tarik Skubal in a 10-4 win over the San Francisco Giants.

— Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 20 Sep. 2026
When a big storm hits the northern Sierra, the Feather River’s runoff lands in Lake Oroville, behind the nation’s tallest dam, and the Yuba’s lands in New Bullards Bar.

— Sean Macaday, Sacbee.com, 20 Sep. 2026

Definition of hits

Verb

Newsom appoints members to the foundation board, which determines what expenses to cover in the governor’s office.

— Phil Willon, Los Angeles Times, 13 Sep. 2026
If your messaging creates an expectation, then delivery determines what people remember long term.

— Jonathan Brierre, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of determines

Verb

While Danny uncovers Chad's secret early on in the season and helps keep his secret, Ricky doesn't find out until the finale -- a revelation that upends their friendship and leaves audiences wondering where the two stand.

— Angeline Jane Bernabe, ABC News, 3 Sep. 2026
As her mother unravels, Maya uncovers a pattern of silence and exploitation that leads her to confront her father’s deception and her family’s complicity.

— Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 2 Sep. 2026