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
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Recent Examples of nails
Sheridan, who is directing, sends everyone out and Bruccoleri soon nails it.
—
Emily Zemler, Los Angeles Times, 30 Apr. 2026
Stripes are a prominent feature of many of the vintage activewear trends that caught my eye, and the new Vuori Seamless Euphoric Tank nails the look with a pop of blue lining the otherwise simple top.
—Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 27 Apr. 2026
There’s a lot to love and appreciate about spring—longer days, nature coming back to life, and a climate that nails the sweet spot between comfortable and warm.
—Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 21 Apr. 2026
Spring makes a strong case for looser, airier cuts and clean lines, and Quince nails it all.
—Tanya Sharma, PEOPLE, 17 Apr. 2026
Take the quiz here … DUGOUT DANGER — Grand slam redemption follows terrifying moment when batter nails his own boss.
—FOXNews.com, 14 Apr. 2026
Quince nails this gloriously soft skirt, giving it a fit that doesn't grip my body and instead hangs elegantly.
—Tamim Alnuweiri, InStyle, 11 Apr. 2026
Malcolm’s teenage daughter, Leah (Keeley Karsten), nails Malcolm’s mannerisms and resembles Muniz.
—Allison McClain Merrill, Parents, 8 Apr. 2026
McHale nails the role of mediator and doesn’t sacrifice any dignity in the process.
—Matt Donnelly, Variety, 31 Mar. 2026
Emily Zemler, Los Angeles Times, 30 Apr. 2026
Stripes are a prominent feature of many of the vintage activewear trends that caught my eye, and the new Vuori Seamless Euphoric Tank nails the look with a pop of blue lining the otherwise simple top.
—Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 27 Apr. 2026
There’s a lot to love and appreciate about spring—longer days, nature coming back to life, and a climate that nails the sweet spot between comfortable and warm.
—Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 21 Apr. 2026
Spring makes a strong case for looser, airier cuts and clean lines, and Quince nails it all.
—Tanya Sharma, PEOPLE, 17 Apr. 2026
Take the quiz here … DUGOUT DANGER — Grand slam redemption follows terrifying moment when batter nails his own boss.
—FOXNews.com, 14 Apr. 2026
Quince nails this gloriously soft skirt, giving it a fit that doesn't grip my body and instead hangs elegantly.
—Tamim Alnuweiri, InStyle, 11 Apr. 2026
Malcolm’s teenage daughter, Leah (Keeley Karsten), nails Malcolm’s mannerisms and resembles Muniz.
—Allison McClain Merrill, Parents, 8 Apr. 2026
McHale nails the role of mediator and doesn’t sacrifice any dignity in the process.
—Matt Donnelly, Variety, 31 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nails
Verb
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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
-
Another bangs his head against the wall after expressing suicidal thoughts.—
Morgan Lee,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The Zion Phelps story is going to be told over and over at Loyola High to show students what can happen when someone discovers potential and decides to take a chance to bring it out.—
Eric Sondheimer,
Los Angeles Times,
1 May 2026
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The board decides annually if the rent should go up, and by how much.—
Amethyst Martinez,
USA Today,
1 May 2026
Verb
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He was advised by a judge that turning down the plea bargain and heading to trial exposes him to as many as 37 years in prison.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
1 May 2026
-
The system supports interchangeable components and exposes low-level interfaces for secondary development, enabling researchers to customize control, perception, and task execution.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
1 May 2026
Verb
-
Devlin throws a punch at Stone when the chief arrests him for drunken driving.—
Sandra Dallas,
Denver Post,
19 Apr. 2026
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The horrid image in the news of a column of smoke rising above the city of Tehran — an abyss of darkness against the gray sky — arrests my attention.—
Babak Rahimi,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Kurt's key takeaways The skating is what grabs you first.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
1 May 2026
-
This evergreen, perennial vine grabs the attention of those looking for an ornamental groundcover.—
SJ McShane,
Martha Stewart,
1 May 2026
Verb
-
Gagen, who hits left-handed, started the season setting but moved to full-time hitting.—
Jeff Vorva,
Chicago Tribune,
7 May 2026
-
Jackson’s hits compilation Number Ones is at Number 13, the Michael soundtrack is at Number 37, and The Essential Michael Jackson is at Number 158.—
Andy Greene,
Rolling Stone,
6 May 2026
Verb
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After word gets out that Frank Capra plans to see a matinee performance, a series of comedic twists and turns determines the fate of whether the two thespians achieve their acting ambitions.—
Philip Potempa,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Apr. 2026
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At the end of the fiscal year, the DOC determines its spending across areas like prison upkeep, the cost of settling lawsuits and workers’ claims, then divides that cost among all the people who were incarcerated at the time, Barrett said.—
Laura Tillman,
Hartford Courant,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Packed neatly in the case, Alba uncovers hundreds of notebooks that recount Clara’s life over half a century, and offers her the missing puzzle pieces to her own fractured and confusing origin story.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
29 Apr. 2026
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However, upon arriving at the Crawford home, Lowen uncovers a secret manuscript that reveals unsettling details about the family's past, leading her to question whether Verity's writings are fiction or a chilling confession from a deranged mind.—
Jordana Comiter,
PEOPLE,
28 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nails.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nails. Accessed 7 May. 2026.
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