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
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
As a puzzler, Lok really nails the balance of challenge and scale, giving you bite-sized problems that still feel good to solve.
—Andrew Webster, The Verge, 25 Jan. 2025
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
As a puzzler, Lok really nails the balance of challenge and scale, giving you bite-sized problems that still feel good to solve.
—Andrew Webster, The Verge, 25 Jan. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nails
Verb
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Because Gateway cousin track New Hampshire kicks off the next round, and another cousin track, Phoenix, decides the championship.—
Jeff Gluck,
New York Times,
6 Sep. 2025
-
Dexter decides to gather all the files on him and other killers to take with him.—
Clayton Davis,
Variety,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Such heavy use exposes teens to a cascade of risks, with mental health impacts topping the list.—
Daryl Austin,
USA Today,
3 Sep. 2025
-
Castles made of sand Wednesday’s discovery exposes a key weakness of the public key infrastructure that’s responsible for ensuring trust of the entire Internet.—
Dan Goodin,
ArsTechnica,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
As fans scramble to catch the ball, footage shows, the ball appears to land one row in front of a woman while a man runs over and grabs it.—
Chandelis Duster,
NPR,
7 Sep. 2025
-
With City’s left-back, Matheus Nunes, moving out of position to press Mainoo, Ugarte’s involvement grabs the attention of Ilkay Gundogan and Josko Gvardiol.—
Ahmed Walid,
New York Times,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Lightning hits the United States approximately 25 million times annually.—
STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
6 Sep. 2025
-
Lightning hits the United States approximately 25 million times annually.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Employee feedback determines the winners.—
Julia Sullivan,
USA Today,
4 Sep. 2025
-
Mental discipline determines long-term success more than market knowledge.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
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
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In Nexus Battles, these companions stand beside players as the story uncovers the mysteries of the protagonist’s past.—
David Jagneaux,
Forbes.com,
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
-
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
-
But Isaac catches Thing’s dart, then reattaches Thing to his arm and buries Wednesday alive.—
Selome Hailu,
Variety,
4 Sep. 2025
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The inner activated carbon filter catches invisible particles and helps to neutralize odors from cooking, pets, smoke, or your teenager’s gym bag.—
Maggie Horton,
People.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Nails.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nails. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.
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