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
Amazon Echo Show Deal Amazon's Echo Show 8 is a smart display that nails the basics with a few smart upgrades and the Alexa ecosystem.
—
PC Magazine, 3 Oct. 2025
If the positives continue — if Ivey nails a high volume of 3s, if the Cunningham-Ivey lineups wreck and the ones with Ivey running the bench unit sustain offensively — then the Pistons could vault into the next tier of the Eastern Conference.
—Fred Katz, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
Many frothers can handle one or the other, but the Breville nails both, thanks to its precise temperature control.
—Bon Appétit, Bon Appetit Magazine, 2 Oct. 2025
A week after hitting the winner as time expired, Eddy Piñeiro nails a 25-yarder to give the 49ers a 3-0 lead.
—Jerry McDonald, Mercury News, 29 Sep. 2025
On top of leaving plenty of leg space open for your best knee-high boots, this ensemble also nails the high-low look that works well for weekday dressing and off-duty gatherings alike.
—Jake Henry Smith, Glamour, 26 Sep. 2025
Wil Lutz nails a 26-yard field goal to cap off the 10-play, 51-yard drive.
—Joe Nguyen, Denver Post, 21 Sep. 2025
The whole place just nails it — great energy, solid service and a killer playlist.
—Jessica Peralta, Oc Register, 19 Sep. 2025
Sly jokes and cute cameos sprinkle the rest of the film like holy water, and Wan himself even appears in a pleasantly pandering concluding scene that nails the spirit of fan service.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 7 Sep. 2025
PC Magazine, 3 Oct. 2025
If the positives continue — if Ivey nails a high volume of 3s, if the Cunningham-Ivey lineups wreck and the ones with Ivey running the bench unit sustain offensively — then the Pistons could vault into the next tier of the Eastern Conference.
—Fred Katz, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
Many frothers can handle one or the other, but the Breville nails both, thanks to its precise temperature control.
—Bon Appétit, Bon Appetit Magazine, 2 Oct. 2025
A week after hitting the winner as time expired, Eddy Piñeiro nails a 25-yarder to give the 49ers a 3-0 lead.
—Jerry McDonald, Mercury News, 29 Sep. 2025
On top of leaving plenty of leg space open for your best knee-high boots, this ensemble also nails the high-low look that works well for weekday dressing and off-duty gatherings alike.
—Jake Henry Smith, Glamour, 26 Sep. 2025
Wil Lutz nails a 26-yard field goal to cap off the 10-play, 51-yard drive.
—Joe Nguyen, Denver Post, 21 Sep. 2025
The whole place just nails it — great energy, solid service and a killer playlist.
—Jessica Peralta, Oc Register, 19 Sep. 2025
Sly jokes and cute cameos sprinkle the rest of the film like holy water, and Wan himself even appears in a pleasantly pandering concluding scene that nails the spirit of fan service.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 7 Sep. 2025
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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In an interview with Variety in April 2023, Coelen shared that the crew often decides who will reveal their decision first at the altar.—
Samantha Stutsman,
PEOPLE,
2 Oct. 2025
-
Snoopy decides to cook his own version of a Thanksgiving meal with help from his friends.—
Tanya Wildt,
Freep.com,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Taiwan’s reliance on Russia for naphtha also exposes it to potential moves by China to disrupt those supplies.—
John Liu,
CNN Money,
2 Oct. 2025
-
Ten years on the Moon exposes the battery at fortnightly intervals to extremes of heat and cold, with temperatures during the lunar night dropping as low as -334 °F (-173 °C) and staying near that extreme for two weeks.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
When virtual particle pairs pop into existence at the edge of black holes, sometimes the black hole’s gravity grabs one partner while the other escapes.—
Dipangkar Dutta,
The Conversation,
3 Oct. 2025
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When Catalina goes into the kitchen to refill her calabash, Frances grabs the box of Thompson paperbacks and makes a run for Ray at the restaurant.—
Amanda Whiting,
Vulture,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Your second step should be to determine how high flood water is likely to rise in your area if a storm hits.—
Andrea Riquier,
USA Today,
3 Oct. 2025
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As the fashion week cycle continues, celebrity beauty hits an all-time high.—
Essence,
Essence,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
This is the real-world psychology that determines relationship success or failure, and many matchmakers overlook these deeper patterns.—
Connie Etemadi,
USA Today,
2 Oct. 2025
-
Congress, the legislative branch of the federal government, determines how to fund departments in the executive branch.—
John Tufts,
IndyStar,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Following one adoptee’s deeply personal search for her biological roots, the film uncovers the hidden history of Korean overseas adoption.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
28 Sep. 2025
-
The campaign uncovers real attitudes and misconceptions by using custom messaging architecture and consumer testing, addressing everything from range confidence and cost concerns, to confusion around charging, incentives and total cost of ownership (TCO).—
Stacy Noblet,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Against her will, Fadia becomes trapped in an asylum while her cousin seizes her inheritance, depriving her of even her right to grieve.—
Jenny S. Li,
Variety,
21 Sep. 2025
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Amelia Mitcham seizes opportunity to help her neighborhood A local investor has renovated a former tavern in Milwaukee's Merrill Park neighborhood.—
Tom Daykin,
jsonline.com,
16 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Nails.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nails. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.
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