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 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 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 Greece nails oodles of desirable attributes, according to Henley & Partners, a company that provides residence and citizenship planning. — Scott Hocker, TheWeek, 14 July 2026 This is the sort of pure 1980s batshit monologue that prompts both oh-my-Lord gasps and howls of laughter, and Neill nails the whole thing. — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 13 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

If the prosecution decides to retry the case, a new jury would be selected, and the case would proceed to a new trial with a different jury.

— Jack Birle, The Washington Examiner, 4 Sep. 2026
The Tate brothers remain in jail in the US while a judge decides on the request for their extradition to Britain, where they are wanted on rape charges.

— Reuters, CNN Money, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of decides

Verb

The Air Force is also pursuing production while developmental testing continues, an approach the GAO says exposes the program to further cost and schedule risk.

— Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 27 Aug. 2026
The English Understand Wool is skillful, funny, and exposes, through twists and turns, the quirks and peculiarities of the privileged, of celebrity, and the publishing world.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 27 Aug. 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

Innanen came up with the idea that, as Anton gets up to leave while Paul Baker and Issa make out, Paul Baker grabs his leg to keep him on the bed.

— Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 2 Sep. 2026
The trooper grabs the man by his wrist and his dreadlocks and began yanking his upper body through the window, the video shows.

— Daniel McFadin, Arkansas Online, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of grabs

Verb

Rather bizarrely, that means Nvidia is in the hands of the oil market, because the oil market determines inflation and inflation determines Warsh's thinking.

— Jim Cramer, CNBC, 30 Aug. 2026
Although vaccination prevents measles, trust determines whether people accept the vaccine.

— Omer Awan, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of determines

Verb

While Danny uncovers Chad's secret early on in the season and helps keep his secret, Ricky doesn't find out until the finale -- a revelation that upends their friendship and leaves audiences wondering where the two stand.

— Angeline Jane Bernabe, ABC News, 3 Sep. 2026
As her mother unravels, Maya uncovers a pattern of silence and exploitation that leads her to confront her father’s deception and her family’s complicity.

— Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 2 Sep. 2026