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
The American super-brand nails its Tokyo offering with the right balance of East and West.
—
Brandon Presser, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Jan. 2026
Deutch nails every joke in this slapstick comedy that keeps the out-of-pocket zingers coming nonstop, complimented perfectly by her crew of Yellow Brick Road (Hollywood Boulevard) nomads.
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 25 Jan. 2026
And Lawrence nails her prompt every time by relying on one specific rule.
—Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 24 Jan. 2026
Etronik Overnight Duffel Bag A trolley sleeve instantly makes any bag more travel-friendly, and this overnight duffel nails the detail.
—Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 19 Jan. 2026
Accepting the sham of the Jimmy cult, Jimmy Ink kills the last loyal Fingers, then nails her former leader to an upside-down cross.
—Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 15 Jan. 2026
Julian nails it – the position has been an issue all season, and it should have been dealt with.
—Sean McIndoe, New York Times, 12 Jan. 2026
This is a practically perfect translation, capturing the books’ madness, eccentric humor, and darkly inventive imagination — and Harris, of course, nails it.
—Will Harris, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Jan. 2026
Wil Lutz nails the 24-yard field goal.
—Joe Nguyen, Denver Post, 4 Jan. 2026
Brandon Presser, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Jan. 2026
Deutch nails every joke in this slapstick comedy that keeps the out-of-pocket zingers coming nonstop, complimented perfectly by her crew of Yellow Brick Road (Hollywood Boulevard) nomads.
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 25 Jan. 2026
And Lawrence nails her prompt every time by relying on one specific rule.
—Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 24 Jan. 2026
Etronik Overnight Duffel Bag A trolley sleeve instantly makes any bag more travel-friendly, and this overnight duffel nails the detail.
—Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 19 Jan. 2026
Accepting the sham of the Jimmy cult, Jimmy Ink kills the last loyal Fingers, then nails her former leader to an upside-down cross.
—Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 15 Jan. 2026
Julian nails it – the position has been an issue all season, and it should have been dealt with.
—Sean McIndoe, New York Times, 12 Jan. 2026
This is a practically perfect translation, capturing the books’ madness, eccentric humor, and darkly inventive imagination — and Harris, of course, nails it.
—Will Harris, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Jan. 2026
Wil Lutz nails the 24-yard field goal.
—Joe Nguyen, Denver Post, 4 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nails
Verb
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The sheep alien bangs its head on the glass in the nextdoor cell, startling Tootles, who falls over and spills the tray.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Amazon is spending heavily on marketing — even as the company shed 16,000 workers just days before the film’s release — possibly because Prime Video exec Mike Hopkins, the guy who ultimately decides marketing budgets for the streamer’s films, is known to lean conservative.—
Benjamin Svetkey,
HollywoodReporter,
30 Jan. 2026
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Who decides to ask the questions, and who decides to write?—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Continue reading … PAST TRUTHS – Joe Rogan exposes Democrats' radical immigration shift as viral Obama clip resurfaces.—
,
FOXNews.com,
30 Jan. 2026
-
In urging buyers and sellers to consider low-fee agents, the report exposes the misconceptions that lead consumers to accept current commission rates as reasonable and justified.—
Lew Sichelman,
Miami Herald,
30 Jan. 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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Video shows that in the seconds before Pretti is shot, the 37-year-old ICU nurse grabs the observer’s backpack when he is pulled to the ground by a group of agents.—
Yahya Abou-Ghazala,
CNN Money,
30 Jan. 2026
-
The officer grabs Pretti’s shirt at his chest, pulling him back toward the vehicle as Pretti’s arms flail.—
Michael Biesecker,
Fortune,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Alongside the likes of Slow Horses and Bad Sisters, Criminal Record has been one of Apple TV’s biggest UK hits.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
28 Jan. 2026
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This hits home for us in Massachusetts, and residents should be paying attention.—
Jennifer Nassour,
Boston Herald,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The micromold determines the final geometry.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
29 Jan. 2026
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And that difference often determines whether an exit becomes a stressful almost, or a strong, intentional choice.—
Lien De Pau,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
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All that is really a testament to the fact that there are a certain number of filmmakers who are doing extraordinary new work there, but also with a language of cinema that shows a desire to express things and speak about their own environment in a way that uncovers something new.—
Georg Szalai,
HollywoodReporter,
26 Jan. 2026
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This approach uncovers systemic issues and shows your team that honesty won't be punished.—
Caroline Castrillon,
Forbes.com,
22 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nails.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nails. Accessed 3 Feb. 2026.
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