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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 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 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 The secret to wearing denim in the summer is choosing silhouettes that feel light and breathable, and Martha Stewart’s recent look nails the balance between polished and practical. —

Nicol Natale, PEOPLE, 27 May 2026 The risk is whether Alkimia nails the balance between modernizing the combat and keeping Gothic’s deliberately rough, unforgiving soul, and reviews will answer that fast. —

Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 26 May 2026 Raphael nails every line delivery, Woods gets to unleash his wild side from time to time (while usually trapped in a beta bear), and Jalees helps make her put-upon fox endearing and entertaining. —

Ben Travers, IndieWire, 22 May 2026 Myers nails the realistic teen who is a far cry from the unflappable Nancy Drew, screwing up plenty and often terrified of what she's gotten herself into. —

Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 22 May 2026 Miles McBride nails George with a hard screen, forcing the 6-2 Tyrese Maxey to switch onto the center. —

Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 16 May 2026 Maybe the most intriguing cast member is Bessa, whose ambitious and slippery assistant is the key to everything coming unwound, and this young actor nails it. —

Pete Hammond, Deadline, 14 May 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for nails

Verb

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.

— Daryl Baxter, Space.com, 14 Apr. 2026
Another bangs his head against the wall after expressing suicidal thoughts.

— Morgan Lee, Los Angeles Times, 8 Mar. 2026