1
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in decides
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 exposes
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 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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of nails
With delicate buttons down the front and a chic square-neck, this top nails the bohemian vibe, and is only made trendier with the addition of lace trim.
—
Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 11 May 2026
After the rogue’s gallery is introduced early on, nearly everyone except for Tim, Elliot, and Rebecca fades into the background, although delightfully, Emma Thompson nails her brief comedic role as a brusque solicitor handling George’s last will and testament.
—Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 8 May 2026
Sheridan, who is directing, sends everyone out and Bruccoleri soon nails it.
—Emily Zemler, Los Angeles Times, 30 Apr. 2026
There’s a lot to love and appreciate about spring—longer days, nature coming back to life, and a climate that nails the sweet spot between comfortable and warm.
—Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 21 Apr. 2026
Spring makes a strong case for looser, airier cuts and clean lines, and Quince nails it all.
—Tanya Sharma, PEOPLE, 17 Apr. 2026
Take the quiz here … DUGOUT DANGER — Grand slam redemption follows terrifying moment when batter nails his own boss.
—FOXNews.com, 14 Apr. 2026
Quince nails this gloriously soft skirt, giving it a fit that doesn't grip my body and instead hangs elegantly.
—Tamim Alnuweiri, InStyle, 11 Apr. 2026
Malcolm’s teenage daughter, Leah (Keeley Karsten), nails Malcolm’s mannerisms and resembles Muniz.
—Allison McClain Merrill, Parents, 8 Apr. 2026
Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 11 May 2026
After the rogue’s gallery is introduced early on, nearly everyone except for Tim, Elliot, and Rebecca fades into the background, although delightfully, Emma Thompson nails her brief comedic role as a brusque solicitor handling George’s last will and testament.
—Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 8 May 2026
Sheridan, who is directing, sends everyone out and Bruccoleri soon nails it.
—Emily Zemler, Los Angeles Times, 30 Apr. 2026
There’s a lot to love and appreciate about spring—longer days, nature coming back to life, and a climate that nails the sweet spot between comfortable and warm.
—Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 21 Apr. 2026
Spring makes a strong case for looser, airier cuts and clean lines, and Quince nails it all.
—Tanya Sharma, PEOPLE, 17 Apr. 2026
Take the quiz here … DUGOUT DANGER — Grand slam redemption follows terrifying moment when batter nails his own boss.
—FOXNews.com, 14 Apr. 2026
Quince nails this gloriously soft skirt, giving it a fit that doesn't grip my body and instead hangs elegantly.
—Tamim Alnuweiri, InStyle, 11 Apr. 2026
Malcolm’s teenage daughter, Leah (Keeley Karsten), nails Malcolm’s mannerisms and resembles Muniz.
—Allison McClain Merrill, Parents, 8 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nails
Verb
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Teal'c takes out some frustrations on an unlucky grunt who bangs him with a door at the start of every time loop, and O'Neill gets to (temporarily) sample the will-they side of his will-they-won't-they relationship with Carter.—
Daryl Baxter,
Space.com,
14 Apr. 2026
-
Another bangs his head against the wall after expressing suicidal thoughts.—
Morgan Lee,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
So in that sense, a lot of what clipping does is help good artists find the audiences who would’ve liked them anyway by accelerating the early excitement just enough to push them past the algorithmic threshold that decides who gets discovered and who doesn’t.—
Lane Brown,
Vulture,
15 May 2026
-
And the audience, Hammond has come to understand, is ultimately the one who decides.—
Seth Abramovitch,
HollywoodReporter,
15 May 2026
Verb
-
The same supply chain that exposes you to disruption also creates opportunities for innovation.—
Thomas Lim,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2026
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The agenda exposes the mutual dependence of the two rival superpowers, marked by distrust but driven by a quest for cooperation and stability.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
Devlin throws a punch at Stone when the chief arrests him for drunken driving.—
Sandra Dallas,
Denver Post,
19 Apr. 2026
-
The horrid image in the news of a column of smoke rising above the city of Tehran — an abyss of darkness against the gray sky — arrests my attention.—
Babak Rahimi,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Next, Beth grabs her father's hat, perched on a stand next to the photograph.—
Bryan Alexander,
USA Today,
15 May 2026
-
So, pay attention to what grabs your attention now, because the cosmos could be delivering a message through the most random interaction, TikTok scroll or overheard conversation.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
15 May 2026
Verb
-
When a heat wave hits, millions of air conditioners switch on at once, straining the electric grid and driving up the risk of outages — and residents’ power bills.—
Kiki Sideris,
Los Angeles Times,
13 May 2026
-
Zesica Flutter-sleeve Smocked Midi Dress Flattering and versatile, this dress hits the sweet spot between refined and playful.—
Rosie Marder,
Travel + Leisure,
13 May 2026
Verb
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The general election determines officeholders for statewide positions, including for Georgia governor and lieutenant governor, both of which have no incumbents running.—
Dan Raby,
CBS News,
14 May 2026
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If Hoskins determines that the referendum does not qualify for the ballot, that decision is also poised to spark another round of legal battles to decide the fate of the campaign.—
Kacen Bayless,
Kansas City Star,
14 May 2026
Verb
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Kenny Jacoby is an investigative reporter for USA TODAY who uncovers issues in sports, higher education and law enforcement.—
Kenny Jacoby,
USA Today,
14 May 2026
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Boys State team Amanda McBaine and Jesse Moss are behind Teenage Wasteland, which revisits the story of a group of teenagers in upstate New York, who in the early 1990s make a film that uncovers a conspiracy that is poisoning their community.—
Mia Galuppo,
HollywoodReporter,
14 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nails.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nails. Accessed 17 May. 2026.
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