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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 The costuming, which decks its cast in traditional Polynesian attire, nails the transition between media, but the real humans of the film clash against the cartoonish designs of Hei Hei or the giant crab Tamatoa (Jemaine Clement). — Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 8 July 2026 Spooky enough for Halloween and colorful enough for summer, this nails the summerween balance. — Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 8 July 2026 Director Paul Weiland, who lived out the exact same bar-mitzvah scenario his protagonist does, nails the specifics of a summer that, for better and for worse, remains ingrained into the national psyche. — Jon O'Brien, Vulture, 26 June 2026 Every year, Michaels nails the gothic aesthetic for its Halloween lineup—and this year, there are a few different hauntingly historic collections to browse. — Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 June 2026 For more formal occasions, this DKNY satchel nails the sweet spot between sleek and practical. — Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 25 June 2026 Give key lime pie nails a futuristic twist with a chrome finish. — Amanda Le, InStyle, 24 June 2026 Anhaishuilv Leather Belt Minimalist accessories are trending, and this slim belt nails the look without the luxe price. — Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 18 June 2026 The home nails that rustic aesthetic and is fronted by generous glazing, including double glass doors, with a second entrance at the side. — New Atlas, 16 June 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

Lacey hates this idea, but the group decides to go with showing mercy this time around.

— Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 11 July 2026
When design makes your information legible to an agent, data keeps it consistent everywhere the agent looks and policy decides what your own agent can do, your brand becomes reliable to deal with.

— Firdosh Tangri, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026

Definition of decides

Verb

Cigarette Smoke and Environmental Pollution Breathing in cigarette smoke, car exhaust, or factory fumes exposes your lungs to harmful particles.

— Brandi Jones, Verywell Health, 6 July 2026
House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries is making the case for party unity as this year's primary season exposes ideological divisions among Democrats.

— Michel Martin, NPR, 3 July 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

This information is continuously shared across a command-and-control network that decides whether an engagement is necessary, selects the most suitable interceptor, and determines the optimal launch time.

— Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 6 July 2026
To this, Dobos says more information on the molecular size and weight of the structure (which determines the level of skin penetration) is needed.

— Sarah Han, Allure, 6 July 2026

Definition of determines

Verb

Angels In Darkness follows a troubled private investigator who uncovers a secret cult’s plan to unleash an ancient force, as the boundary between worlds begins to collapse.

— Zac Ntim, Deadline, 8 July 2026
The investigation uncovers a decades-old love affair, revealing that the person Grandma had been exchanging letters with for half a century via the traditional qiaopi system was a complete stranger.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 22 June 2026