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
The Row nails the kind of minimalism that feels both deliberate and easy; Khaite balances modern sensibility with timeless tailoring; Loro Piana transforms the most basic essentials into quietly exceptional objects.
—
Kevin Huynh, InStyle, 27 Feb. 2026
Matas Vokietaitis has two buckets, Jordan Pope nails a 3-pointer, and Texas is off to the hot start that head coach Sean Miller wants.
—Thomas Jones, Austin American Statesman, 25 Feb. 2026
The brand nails high-quality essentials that look luxe without wrecking your travel budget.
—Claire Gallam, Travel + Leisure, 11 Feb. 2026
The voice cast led by McLaughlin nails it as well and includes cameos from Jennifer Hudson to Jelly Roll.
—Pete Hammond, Deadline, 9 Feb. 2026
The Ingrid tiny house nails this, packing an impressive amount of storage and flexibility into a compact footprint.
—New Atlas, 8 Feb. 2026
The American super-brand nails its Tokyo offering with the right balance of East and West.
—Brandon Presser, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Jan. 2026
And Lawrence nails her prompt every time by relying on one specific rule.
—Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 24 Jan. 2026
Accepting the sham of the Jimmy cult, Jimmy Ink kills the last loyal Fingers, then nails her former leader to an upside-down cross.
—Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 15 Jan. 2026
Kevin Huynh, InStyle, 27 Feb. 2026
Matas Vokietaitis has two buckets, Jordan Pope nails a 3-pointer, and Texas is off to the hot start that head coach Sean Miller wants.
—Thomas Jones, Austin American Statesman, 25 Feb. 2026
The brand nails high-quality essentials that look luxe without wrecking your travel budget.
—Claire Gallam, Travel + Leisure, 11 Feb. 2026
The voice cast led by McLaughlin nails it as well and includes cameos from Jennifer Hudson to Jelly Roll.
—Pete Hammond, Deadline, 9 Feb. 2026
The Ingrid tiny house nails this, packing an impressive amount of storage and flexibility into a compact footprint.
—New Atlas, 8 Feb. 2026
The American super-brand nails its Tokyo offering with the right balance of East and West.
—Brandon Presser, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Jan. 2026
And Lawrence nails her prompt every time by relying on one specific rule.
—Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 24 Jan. 2026
Accepting the sham of the Jimmy cult, Jimmy Ink kills the last loyal Fingers, then nails her former leader to an upside-down cross.
—Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 15 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nails
Verb
-
Opt for wispy wisteria bangs for something low maintenance or turn up the face-framing flattery with a thicker curtain fringe.—
Grace McCarty,
Glamour,
3 Mar. 2026
-
Before boarding the bus, schoolboy Harrison Higgins, who bangs the drum, literally, for Darlo, optimistically predicts a 2-1 away win.—
Michael Walker,
New York Times,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
If another team decides to make that offer, don’t expect the Cowboys to panic and reset their offer.—
Nick Harris,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Greg decides to shake off the monotony of his life by taking a position as Writer in Residence at the prestigious (fictional) Ludlow College.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Removing protective material too soon exposes soil to fluctuating temperatures.—
Jessica Safavimehr,
Southern Living,
4 Mar. 2026
-
Investigation exposes a decade of abuse The investigation into Joachim began after the victim, age 14, came forward after telling her sister-in-law about the abuse, the DA's office said in a news release.—
Briauna Brown,
CBS News,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The Department of Damage Control arrests Trevor.—
JP Mangalindan,
Time,
27 Jan. 2026
-
The sheer scale of an estate for sale in San Francisco’s tony Pacific Heights neighborhood — a residence spanning 26,000 square feet, or the equivalent of 10 average homes — arrests the imagination.—
David Caraccio,
Sacbee.com,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Barber then grabs her firearm from her vehicle and Riley's girlfriend also retrieves an item from the vehicle, according to the complaint.—
Drake Bentley,
jsonline.com,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Isabelle slides off Sarah’s lap, flings the towel, pulls on her swimming mask, grabs her mom’s hand and tugs her toward the pool.—
Gerald Witt,
AJC.com,
1 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Lightning hits the United States approximately 25 million times annually.—
STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
5 Mar. 2026
-
Composer Hildur Guðnadóttir’s score hits the right notes in a tricky assignment that creates a feeling of punk without actually being that.—
Pete Hammond,
Deadline,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
If the watch lieutenant determines the officer should continue the detention, the lieutenant must brief the shift’s duty commander, who will make a final decision.—
Austin Sanders,
Austin American Statesman,
5 Mar. 2026
-
Roadway geometry determines how fast people feel comfortable driving.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
In a political thriller with intertwining story lines, the A-lister stars as a veteran CIA agent who uncovers an assassination plot in the Middle East.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
4 Mar. 2026
-
Perhaps Sullivan uncovers a young diamond-in-the-rough who hasn’t received much of a chance but blossoms here.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
4 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nails.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nails. Accessed 10 Mar. 2026.
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