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 brand nails high-quality essentials that look luxe without wrecking your travel budget.
—
Claire Gallam, Travel + Leisure, 11 Feb. 2026
The voice cast led by McLaughlin nails it as well and includes cameos from Jennifer Hudson to Jelly Roll.
—Pete Hammond, Deadline, 9 Feb. 2026
The Ingrid tiny house nails this, packing an impressive amount of storage and flexibility into a compact footprint.
—New Atlas, 8 Feb. 2026
The American super-brand nails its Tokyo offering with the right balance of East and West.
—Brandon Presser, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Jan. 2026
And Lawrence nails her prompt every time by relying on one specific rule.
—Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 24 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
Claire Gallam, Travel + Leisure, 11 Feb. 2026
The voice cast led by McLaughlin nails it as well and includes cameos from Jennifer Hudson to Jelly Roll.
—Pete Hammond, Deadline, 9 Feb. 2026
The Ingrid tiny house nails this, packing an impressive amount of storage and flexibility into a compact footprint.
—New Atlas, 8 Feb. 2026
The American super-brand nails its Tokyo offering with the right balance of East and West.
—Brandon Presser, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Jan. 2026
And Lawrence nails her prompt every time by relying on one specific rule.
—Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 24 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nails
Verb
-
Before boarding the bus, schoolboy Harrison Higgins, who bangs the drum, literally, for Darlo, optimistically predicts a 2-1 away win.—
Michael Walker,
New York Times,
27 Jan. 2026
-
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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Naturally, Liz decides to create her own rom-com HAE and rope Wes into helping her win Michael’s heart by pretending to fake date each other.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
13 Feb. 2026
-
How the jury weighs Guevara’s refusal to answer questions could factor heavily into how much the city will eventually pay out in the more than two dozen other lawsuits that are still pending against him — or whether the Law Department decides to roll the dice and take some of them to trial.—
Jason Meisner,
Chicago Tribune,
12 Feb. 2026
Verb
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To translate Holocaust literature at a moment when genocide is not only a historical category but an active legal accusation exposes translators, editors, and institutions alike to pressures to contain, displace, or euphemize violence.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
13 Feb. 2026
-
The Taopiaopiao release centers on an underperforming local police unit that fabricates minor cases to pad its record, only to uncover a genuine criminal conspiracy after a burst water main exposes a gang of tomb raiders posing as repair workers.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The Department of Damage Control arrests Trevor.—
JP Mangalindan,
Time,
27 Jan. 2026
-
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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Soon thereafter, a gear fishing pal of yours gifted you an old, unused fly rod, and that totally grabs a hold of you and completely directs the rest of your life.—
Outside Online,
Outside Online,
11 Feb. 2026
-
The man grabs her and also takes her cell phone.—
Jermont Terry,
CBS News,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Quince's version is made with 24 percent spandex for extra stretch and features a high-cut leg that hits just right to cinch your waist.—
Claire Gallam,
Travel + Leisure,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Witherspoon was one of the Seahawks’ stars of the game with a sack and two QB hits, one of which led to an interception from Patriots QB Drake Maye.—
Doug Kyed,
Boston Herald,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Candidates don’t always honor their party’s endorsement and will sometimes advance to the August primary election, which officially determines the party nominee.—
Alex Derosier,
Twin Cities,
4 Feb. 2026
-
Each agency determines what work is essential or not.—
Caitlin Yilek,
CBS News,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
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 17 Feb. 2026.
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