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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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 There is something about that scene that nails the nuance of being gutted by the crimes of powerful, entitled men. — Beandrea July, IndieWire, 14 Sep. 2026 Baleaf consistently nails budget-friendly performance wear, and these capris are no exception. — Francesca Krempa, Travel + Leisure, 3 Sep. 2026 Plus, Sumosan nails Japanese fusion cuisine, fresh sushi and creative cocktails by the beach. — Stephanie Orma, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026 This neighborhood is cool and low-key, just like Sunny’s, and the menu nails it. — Angela George, Sioux Falls Argus Leader, 10 Aug. 2026 And then there’s the Intergovernmental Cooperation Act, which basically nails the federal government for not consulting with the county or state on the project. — Nick Bhasin, Mercury News, 28 July 2026 Below, find the best of the trending, minimalist ’90s nails to see you through summer into fall, and the pictures to show your nail artist. — Lorena Meouchi, Vogue, 23 July 2026 Either way, Ettika nails this jewelry trend with this three-piece layered necklace. — Katie Decker-Jacoby, StyleCaster, 22 July 2026 Amenities and experiences Faraway nails the details and has thought of all of the mountain necessities. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 14 July 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

Set in the summer of 1970, the story turns on the diligent civil servant Heikki who decides to host a high-ranking Soviet diplomat at his family’s lakeside cottage.

— Annika Pham, Variety, 25 Sep. 2026
In Nobody Wants This, agnostic podcaster Joanne Williams (Kristen Bell) begins an unexpected romance with Rabbi Noah Roklov (Brody), which shakes both their families as Joanne immerses herself in Noah’s culture and decides to convert to Judaism.

— Glenn Garner, Deadline, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of decides

Verb

The tumult that has defined the probe exposes a familiar gap between White House demands for speedy action and the Justice Department's ability to craft the president's litany of grievances into a prosecutable case.

— ABC News, ABC News, 21 Sep. 2026
Her resistance ignites a conflict that exposes hidden secrets, shifting loyalties and traditions that have shaped the family for generations.

— Ed Meza, Variety, 21 Sep. 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

Ryan opens it, grabs a Diet Coke and asks one of his assistants to summon a cup of ice.

— Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 25 Sep. 2026
Paramount grabs a distribution fee and recovers its marketing and P&A costs from ticket sales before sharing the remaining profits with Miramax.

— Anne Thompson, IndieWire, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of grabs

Verb

The incoming wave hits a slanted wall, bounces off at an angle, and rapidly spirals into complete unpredictability.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 28 Sep. 2026
An old-school shag hairstyle traditionally hits between the collarbone and chest, but face shape and hair texture should dictate your most flattering length.

— Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 27 Sep. 2026

Definition of hits

Verb

The Platte County Sheriff’s Office has indicated that no update about Zahnd’s death will be provided until the coroner’s office determines his cause of death.

— Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 21 Sep. 2026
The FedEx Cup Fall determines the top 100 who keep full cards for 2027.

— ABC News, ABC News, 20 Sep. 2026

Definition of determines

Verb

Discover the Rhythm of Florida’s Northwest Coast From a boutique inn to the backwater bays Taylor Eisenhauer uncovers the storied side of Florida’s Panhandle.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Sep. 2026
Naomi Watts stars as a midwife who uncovers a Russian prostitution ring that draws in the son of the godfather, played by Vincent Cassel, and an enforcer, played by Viggo Mortensen, in one of his best screen performances.

— Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 19 Sep. 2026