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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of nails
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
In one respect, though, Young Washington nails it.
—
James Parker,
The Atlantic,
16 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
Each channel nails one corner of the triangle and leaves the other two as an exercise for the artist to figure out alone.
—
Sam Saideman,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2026
Domingo nails it and is very moving.
—
Pete Hammond,
Deadline,
9 June 2026
Avots nails the physical awkwardness of Semjonova’s frame, playing her as uncomfortable even on the basketball court.
—
Murtada Elfadl,
Variety,
2 June 2026
Set the scene If first impressions matter, Four Seasons Resort Langkawi absolutely nails it.
—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
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
In one respect, though, Young Washington nails it.
—
James Parker,
The Atlantic,
16 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
Each channel nails one corner of the triangle and leaves the other two as an exercise for the artist to figure out alone.
—
Sam Saideman,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2026
Domingo nails it and is very moving.
—
Pete Hammond,
Deadline,
9 June 2026
Avots nails the physical awkwardness of Semjonova’s frame, playing her as uncomfortable even on the basketball court.
—
Murtada Elfadl,
Variety,
2 June 2026
Set the scene If first impressions matter, Four Seasons Resort Langkawi absolutely nails it.
—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nails
Verb
-
When selecting the perfect of-the-moment style for you (Jane Birkin bangs?
-
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.
Verb
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Someone decides what counts as cultivation and what counts as nuisance, what gets watered and what gets pulled, what belongs in the planned bed and what must be removed before visitors arrive.
-
Complaints against Israeli soldiers in the occupied West Bank go to the Israeli military's own prosecution service — the Military Advocate General — which decides whether to open an investigation, and whether any soldier should be charged.
Verb
-
His advice is to invest early in systems that standardize order tracking, issue resolution, and returns before rapid growth exposes operational cracks.
-
In addition to his literary career, Sarris oversees the multibillion-dollar Graton Resort & Casino, and uses gaming revenue for tribal housing, education and activism, even as the project exposes tensions over wealth, power and belonging in Sonoma County.
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.
-
Devlin throws a punch at Stone when the chief arrests him for drunken driving.
Verb
-
What actually cuts through and grabs attention nowadays is humanity, clarity and credibility in messaging.
-
When Martinez throws something back, the woman rushes toward her, throws her to the ground, grabs her by the hair and repeatedly attacks her as bystanders try to step in and help.
Verb
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Of course, the movie had to contend with the beloved Toy Story 5, and the staying power of recent horror hits like Obsession and Backrooms, so that at least explains it.
-
For a good deal on a budget gaming laptop, this 35% discount on the Asus TUF 16 hits the sweet spot.
Verb
-
It is based on a process known as topology optimization, which is a computational method that determines the most efficient material placement.
-
The protections for those who pass background checks initially last for up to 18 months but are automatically extended unless the government determines that conditions in a country have sufficiently improved.
Verb
-
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.
-
As her historically Black neighborhood is rapidly gentrified and her neighbors mysteriously disappear, Sydney uncovers a sinister conspiracy.
Cite this Entry
“Nails.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nails. Accessed 29 Jun. 2026.
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