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
In one respect, though, Young Washington nails it.
—
James Parker, The Atlantic, 16 June 2026
The home nails that rustic aesthetic and is fronted by generous glazing, including double glass doors, with a second entrance at the side.
—New Atlas, 16 June 2026
Each channel nails one corner of the triangle and leaves the other two as an exercise for the artist to figure out alone.
—Sam Saideman, Forbes.com, 12 June 2026
Domingo nails it and is very moving.
—Pete Hammond, Deadline, 9 June 2026
Celebrity nail artist Julie Kandalec painted Emily Blunt’s short, square nails an inky shade of purple for the Louis Vuitton Cruise 2027 show, while Charli XCX wore a short, black cherry manicure by artist Naomi Yasuda to the 2026 Met Gala.
—Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 6 June 2026
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
James Parker, The Atlantic, 16 June 2026
The home nails that rustic aesthetic and is fronted by generous glazing, including double glass doors, with a second entrance at the side.
—New Atlas, 16 June 2026
Each channel nails one corner of the triangle and leaves the other two as an exercise for the artist to figure out alone.
—Sam Saideman, Forbes.com, 12 June 2026
Domingo nails it and is very moving.
—Pete Hammond, Deadline, 9 June 2026
Celebrity nail artist Julie Kandalec painted Emily Blunt’s short, square nails an inky shade of purple for the Louis Vuitton Cruise 2027 show, while Charli XCX wore a short, black cherry manicure by artist Naomi Yasuda to the 2026 Met Gala.
—Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 6 June 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nails
Verb
-
When selecting the perfect of-the-moment style for you (Jane Birkin bangs?—
Conçetta Ciarlo,
Vogue,
8 June 2026
-
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
Verb
-
Lucky decides to take Mason to his first baseball game in Atlanta, only to encounter a series of complications and setbacks for which fatherhood, grief, and economic barriers are a distinct part of the Black American experience.—
Brian Welk,
IndieWire,
19 June 2026
-
Outgoing Mayor Vi Lyles has announced her intent to resign by June 30 or whenever the council decides on her replacement.—
Zaire Breedlove,
Charlotte Observer,
19 June 2026
Verb
-
The author exposes its 'intellectual sleight of hand,' arguing this approach dehumanizes customers into metrics, risking Goodhart's Law and metric-gaming.—
Steve Denning,
Forbes.com,
19 June 2026
-
Continue reading … NO TURNING BACK — Activist exposes Planned Parenthood's lack of help for detransitioning patients.—
,
FOXNews.com,
19 June 2026
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
Verb
-
The design is what grabs your attention at first sight.—
Utkarsh Sood
June 12,
New Atlas,
12 June 2026
-
The goal is to have a welcoming environment that grabs visitors' attention.—
Quincy Bulin,
Southern Living,
10 June 2026
Verb
-
So sure, stuff hits the cutting room floor.—
Kate Aurthur,
Variety,
17 June 2026
-
In a crowded year for chilling debuts, director Adrian Chiarella and actors Joe Bird and Stacy Clausen impress with a fear that hits close to home.—
Jen Yamato,
Los Angeles Times,
17 June 2026
Verb
-
Authorities did say that additional information will be released once the three individuals are identified, and when the medical examiner determines their cause of death.—
Anthony Thompson,
USA Today,
19 June 2026
-
If the state determines the bear is a threat to public safety, it will be euthanized.—
Julie Sharp,
CBS News,
18 June 2026
Verb
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The story is set in Miami’s most exclusive neighborhood, where a picture-perfect wife uncovers her husband’s double life – igniting a seductive power game that turns betrayal into the most intoxicating game of her life.—
Justin Kroll,
Deadline,
18 June 2026
-
The film also uncovers documentation of how the white settlers, with the implicit accord of the Canadian government, murdered thousands of Nuxalk in 1862 with the smallpox virus and colonized the land.—
Carole Horst,
Variety,
17 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nails.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nails. Accessed 22 Jun. 2026.
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