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
McHale nails the role of mediator and doesn’t sacrifice any dignity in the process.
—
Matt Donnelly, Variety, 31 Mar. 2026
Akers nails 1970s New York’s glitz and grime as Bernie interviews an assortment of renowned chefs, fellow critics, criminals as well as Tirel’s business associates and son, Henri, who also happens to be an old flame.
—Paula L. Woods, Los Angeles Times, 19 Mar. 2026
All the cool girls are tying silk scarves to their handbags as elevated bag charms, and this one nails the look in baby blue and spring green.
—Olivia Cigliano, InStyle, 15 Mar. 2026
Styles nails the daring outfits, but can everyday guys pull them off?
—Mitchell Peters, Billboard, 15 Mar. 2026
And Amanda Robles nails all of it, which is quite an accomplishment for someone who is making her national tour debut.
—Jim Harrington, Mercury News, 7 Mar. 2026
Matas Vokietaitis has two buckets, Jordan Pope nails a 3-pointer, and Texas is off to the hot start that head coach Sean Miller wants.
—Thomas Jones, Austin American Statesman, 25 Feb. 2026
The brand nails high-quality essentials that look luxe without wrecking your travel budget.
—Claire Gallam, Travel + Leisure, 11 Feb. 2026
The voice cast led by McLaughlin nails it as well and includes cameos from Jennifer Hudson to Jelly Roll.
—Pete Hammond, Deadline, 9 Feb. 2026
Matt Donnelly, Variety, 31 Mar. 2026
Akers nails 1970s New York’s glitz and grime as Bernie interviews an assortment of renowned chefs, fellow critics, criminals as well as Tirel’s business associates and son, Henri, who also happens to be an old flame.
—Paula L. Woods, Los Angeles Times, 19 Mar. 2026
All the cool girls are tying silk scarves to their handbags as elevated bag charms, and this one nails the look in baby blue and spring green.
—Olivia Cigliano, InStyle, 15 Mar. 2026
Styles nails the daring outfits, but can everyday guys pull them off?
—Mitchell Peters, Billboard, 15 Mar. 2026
And Amanda Robles nails all of it, which is quite an accomplishment for someone who is making her national tour debut.
—Jim Harrington, Mercury News, 7 Mar. 2026
Matas Vokietaitis has two buckets, Jordan Pope nails a 3-pointer, and Texas is off to the hot start that head coach Sean Miller wants.
—Thomas Jones, Austin American Statesman, 25 Feb. 2026
The brand nails high-quality essentials that look luxe without wrecking your travel budget.
—Claire Gallam, Travel + Leisure, 11 Feb. 2026
The voice cast led by McLaughlin nails it as well and includes cameos from Jennifer Hudson to Jelly Roll.
—Pete Hammond, Deadline, 9 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nails
Verb
-
Another bangs his head against the wall after expressing suicidal thoughts.—
Morgan Lee,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Mar. 2026
-
Another bangs his head against the wall after expressing suicidal thoughts.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Carolyn decides to attend Rory’s wedding.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
27 Mar. 2026
-
This is the kind of error that looks obvious in retrospect and invisible until someone decides to check.—
Paul M. Sutter,
Scientific American,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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She and her son are seen posing in front of a mirror together, before Spears begins speaking in an English accent and seemingly simulating a humping motion while wearing tight shorts and a top that exposes her midsection.—
Brian Niemietz,
New York Daily News,
27 Mar. 2026
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Along with Anopheles control efforts, agriculture also inadvertently exposes mosquitoes to pyrethroids and contributes to insecticide resistance.—
Jacob A Tennessen,
The Conversation,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The Department of Damage Control arrests Trevor.—
JP Mangalindan,
Time,
27 Jan. 2026
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The sheer scale of an estate for sale in San Francisco’s tony Pacific Heights neighborhood — a residence spanning 26,000 square feet, or the equivalent of 10 average homes — arrests the imagination.—
David Caraccio,
Sacbee.com,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Chibale grabs a chemistry book off the shelf in his office and riffles through a parade of molecules — each one like an old friend.—
Ari Daniel,
NPR,
22 Mar. 2026
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Afterward the man with the shotgun points it inside the truck’s cabin and the passenger grabs its barrel, the video shows.—
Dennis Romero,
NBC news,
21 Mar. 2026
Verb
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On a day when balls were not leaving the yard and hits to the warning track were rare, the Cubs still thrived.—
Jeff Vorva,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Apr. 2026
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Trash truck hits a resident’s vehicle – $47,000 The Board of Estimates approved a $47,000 settlement for Donald Stepp after a Department of Public Works trash truck struck his vehicle on Dundalk Avenue in February 2023.—
Chevall Pryce,
Baltimore Sun,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
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That’s what determines whether a crowd stays stable or tips toward danger.—
Yook JiHun,
Popular Science,
26 Mar. 2026
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Labin details the elaborate process of elimination that determines which socks to bring to the festival each year.—
Scott Neuman,
NPR,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Often, the inspector uncovers some items that must be repaired, and as part of the contract, the seller agrees.—
Lew Sichelman,
Miami Herald,
25 Mar. 2026
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The story follows a young woman who regains consciousness after three years in a coma, only to be confronted by the apparition of her deceased sister, as their mother’s search for the truth behind the sister’s death gradually uncovers a dark hereditary secret stretching back centuries.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
17 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nails.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nails. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
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