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
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of nails
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
While Jones and Robinson are fine in the leads — Robinson particularly nails Charlie’s ever-evolving combination of sweet and prickly — they aren’t given the space to relax into their chemistry, let alone to show us who these characters are beyond two sets of clashing personality traits.
—Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 4 Sep. 2025
Television Deals The 75-inch Roku Pro Series is a TV that nails the basics with a stunning picture and a simple interface.
—PC Magazine, 30 Aug. 2025
Gardner has plenty of facility with both; her tiny part at the end of this music video nails the distressed-wife bit in 15 seconds flat.
—Jesse Hassenger, Vulture, 29 Aug. 2025
The brand nails high-quality essentials that look luxe without wrecking your travel budget.
—Claire Gallam, Travel + Leisure, 27 Aug. 2025
This Nancy Meyers movie is a millennial classic and Lohan nails it as the American and British twins, Hallie and Annie.
—Kara Nesvig, Parents, 21 Aug. 2025
When ChatGPT nails your voice, tell it what worked.
—Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2025
Or if longterm commitment isn’t really your thing, there are plenty of DIY almond press-on nails to choose from, which makes nail designs like chrome nails, french nails, and aura nails a breeze.
—Bella Cacciatore, Glamour, 13 Mar. 2025
Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 7 Sep. 2025
While Jones and Robinson are fine in the leads — Robinson particularly nails Charlie’s ever-evolving combination of sweet and prickly — they aren’t given the space to relax into their chemistry, let alone to show us who these characters are beyond two sets of clashing personality traits.
—Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 4 Sep. 2025
Television Deals The 75-inch Roku Pro Series is a TV that nails the basics with a stunning picture and a simple interface.
—PC Magazine, 30 Aug. 2025
Gardner has plenty of facility with both; her tiny part at the end of this music video nails the distressed-wife bit in 15 seconds flat.
—Jesse Hassenger, Vulture, 29 Aug. 2025
The brand nails high-quality essentials that look luxe without wrecking your travel budget.
—Claire Gallam, Travel + Leisure, 27 Aug. 2025
This Nancy Meyers movie is a millennial classic and Lohan nails it as the American and British twins, Hallie and Annie.
—Kara Nesvig, Parents, 21 Aug. 2025
When ChatGPT nails your voice, tell it what worked.
—Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2025
Or if longterm commitment isn’t really your thing, there are plenty of DIY almond press-on nails to choose from, which makes nail designs like chrome nails, french nails, and aura nails a breeze.
—Bella Cacciatore, Glamour, 13 Mar. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nails
Verb
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The cat decides its favorite spot to sleep is also a great place to stretch and scratch.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
12 Sep. 2025
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Perhaps America won’t be healthy again until Kennedy simply decides to declare victory, regardless of what the next three years bring.—
Nicholas Florko,
The Atlantic,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Against a United block that often exposes the space either side of the midfield two and has tended to concede from crosses, his ability to find those pockets and time his runs into the box should offer opportunities in the final third.—
Carl Anka,
New York Times,
14 Sep. 2025
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All this exposes a hole in the MAHA movement.—
Nicholas Florko,
The Atlantic,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
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But the feeling when a film grabs hold remains the same—by a story, a character, a voice—that, never goes out of season.—
Okla Jones,
Essence,
10 Sep. 2025
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The lilting Calle Malaga, Morocco’s official entry for the International Feature Film Oscar, is a joy largely because of its veteran star who envelops the screen and grabs a role of a career.—
Pete Hammond,
Deadline,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
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When the Great Depression hits, these estates become the targets of an ideological clash.—
Olivia B. Waxman,
Time,
12 Sep. 2025
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The Emmy winner voiced a role in DreamWorks’ The Bad Guys 2 and will soon be seen starring alongside comedian Nate Bargatze in his TriStar Pictures comedy The Breadwinner, which hits theaters on March 13.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
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When the next breakthrough enters the doctor’s office—whether AI, gene therapy, or an unimagined technology—trust will remain the essential ingredient that determines whether medicine heals not just illness, but healthcare itself.—
Nia Bowers,
USA Today,
12 Sep. 2025
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Gary Vee identified this shift as the transition from social media to interest media, but most entrepreneurs and brands are still operating as if follower count determines reach.—
Ivana Johnston,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
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But Isabel's life gets upended when her sister unexpectedly dies — especially after Isabel uncovers her sibling's unfinished bucket list.—
Carly Tagen-Dye,
PEOPLE,
8 Sep. 2025
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Their investigation plunges them into the shadowy corners of New York and beyond—where the trio uncovers a dangerous web of secrets connecting powerful billionaires, old-school mobsters, and the mysterious residents of the Arconia.—
Jessica Radloff,
Glamour,
1 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Suddenly, the Thursday Murder Club seizes an opportunity and leaps from the cold case realm into a very hot murder investigation.—
Tim Lammers,
Forbes.com,
27 Aug. 2025
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During a physical confrontation, Matheo forces Saskia to retreat, and Sylvie seizes the opportunity to grab Saskia’s gun.—
Time,
Time,
21 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Alphonse Pierre’s Off the Dome column covers songs, mixtapes, albums, scenes, snippets, movies, Meek Mill tweets, fashion trends—and anything else that catches his attention.—
Alphonse Pierre,
Pitchfork,
11 Sep. 2025
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The center beam shows color and detail clearly, while the outer glow only catches movement.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
11 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Nails.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nails. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.
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