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
Or if longterm commitment isn’t really your thing, there are plenty of DIY almond press-on nails to choose from, which makes nail designs like chrome nails, french nails, and aura nails a breeze.
—
Bella Cacciatore, Glamour, 13 Mar. 2025
As a puzzler, Lok really nails the balance of challenge and scale, giving you bite-sized problems that still feel good to solve.
—Andrew Webster, The Verge, 25 Jan. 2025
Grainger is continually excellent as the no-nonsense Robin, but the new season is perhaps more of a showcase for Burke’s quiet, contained portrayal of Cormoran, which nails the detective’s blend of bullish force and awkward compassion.
—Mike Hale, New York Times, 23 Jan. 2025
The second anybody nails it, the better.
—Yvonne Villarreal, Los Angeles Times, 25 Dec. 2024
Woodley nails Diana’s mean-waif combustibility, and both Colindrez and Ferreira, playing outsiders unimpressed with their welcome to the Dahl house, do lovely work.
—Helen Shaw, The New Yorker, 13 Dec. 2024
In director Jamie Lloyd’s electric and minimalist Broadway update of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s 1990s musical based on a ‘50s movie, the former Pussycat Doll nails the comedy of a camp diva — inhabiting former ingenue Norma’s delusion and ego without ever losing sight of her sincerity.
—Ew Staff, EW.com, 11 Dec. 2024
Scherzinger also nails the comedy of a camp diva, inhabiting Norma’s delusion and ego without ever losing sight of her sincerity.
—Kathryn Vandervalk, EW.com, 21 Oct. 2024
Well cast are the kids, notably Miller as Rose, the older daughter who at first is under her mother’s protection before becoming the protector herself for sister Ollie, played by the exceptional young deaf actress Robbins who nails the role.
—Pete Hammond, Deadline, 2 Oct. 2024
Bella Cacciatore, Glamour, 13 Mar. 2025
As a puzzler, Lok really nails the balance of challenge and scale, giving you bite-sized problems that still feel good to solve.
—Andrew Webster, The Verge, 25 Jan. 2025
Grainger is continually excellent as the no-nonsense Robin, but the new season is perhaps more of a showcase for Burke’s quiet, contained portrayal of Cormoran, which nails the detective’s blend of bullish force and awkward compassion.
—Mike Hale, New York Times, 23 Jan. 2025
The second anybody nails it, the better.
—Yvonne Villarreal, Los Angeles Times, 25 Dec. 2024
Woodley nails Diana’s mean-waif combustibility, and both Colindrez and Ferreira, playing outsiders unimpressed with their welcome to the Dahl house, do lovely work.
—Helen Shaw, The New Yorker, 13 Dec. 2024
In director Jamie Lloyd’s electric and minimalist Broadway update of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s 1990s musical based on a ‘50s movie, the former Pussycat Doll nails the comedy of a camp diva — inhabiting former ingenue Norma’s delusion and ego without ever losing sight of her sincerity.
—Ew Staff, EW.com, 11 Dec. 2024
Scherzinger also nails the comedy of a camp diva, inhabiting Norma’s delusion and ego without ever losing sight of her sincerity.
—Kathryn Vandervalk, EW.com, 21 Oct. 2024
Well cast are the kids, notably Miller as Rose, the older daughter who at first is under her mother’s protection before becoming the protector herself for sister Ollie, played by the exceptional young deaf actress Robbins who nails the role.
—Pete Hammond, Deadline, 2 Oct. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nails
Verb
-
Out of the box, the firewall analyzes new programs and decides whether to allow network access.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
11 Apr. 2025
-
Pilate caves and decides to crucify Jesus, whom Christians believe rose from the dead three days later.—
Nathanael Andrade,
The Conversation,
11 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Itamar faces his greatest challenge when a cyber leak exposes his agents, starting with Shuruk (Luna Mansour).—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
13 Mar. 2025
-
The deeper issue is energy dependency itself—one that exposes supply chains to geopolitical shocks and battlefield vulnerabilities.—
Ingmar Rentzhog,
Forbes,
11 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
This authenticity grabs attention amongst boring profiles.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes,
21 Mar. 2025
-
Curtis Rowe scores 19 points and Sidney Wicks adds 17 points and grabs 18 rebounds to lead UCLA to an 80-69 victory over Jacksonville for its fourth consecutive NCAA basketball championship.—
Austin Knoblauch,
Los Angeles Times,
21 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Snow White hits theaters on March 21.—
Jack Smart,
People.com,
15 Mar. 2025
-
When the biggest name in the sport jumps teams, a tsunami hits.—
Olivia Hicks,
NPR,
15 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Some towns have seen large drops in their grand lists caused in part by changes made in recent years to the state law that determines how local officials figure the value of cars for property tax purposes.—
Ginny Monk,
Hartford Courant,
10 Apr. 2025
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Bordeaux is divided by the Left Bank and Right Bank, which basically determines whether your wine has more Cab (Left Bank) or more Merlot (Right Bank).—
Emily Price,
Forbes.com,
9 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
The best way to tackle this show is to watch Season 1, then look up the big spoiler for Season 2, and then skip Season 2 and watch Season 3, where the program ultimately settles into its melodramatic, soapy groove.—
Erin Strecker,
IndieWire,
3 Jan. 2025
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As Seattle settles into the rainy season, don't expect a sea of umbrellas on the sidewalks.—
Christine Clarridge,
Axios,
2 Jan. 2025
Verb
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López’s next turn in the rotation lands Sunday against Detroit.—
Dan Hayes,
New York Times,
10 Apr. 2025
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After being gifted with a wide receiver in Xavier Worthy after a trade up in last year's NFL draft, in this mock, the team somehow lands Arizona receiver Tetairoa McMillan.—
Raja Krishnamoorthi,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The scene captures the essence of a property that opened with grand ambitions but now finds itself on the selling block.—
Jackie Snow,
Quartz,
15 Mar. 2025
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But when Lynch’s camera captures them in the vehicle’s back seat, the wholesome mood suddenly shifts.—
Naomi Fry,
The New Yorker,
15 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Nails.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nails. Accessed 22 May. 2025.
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