Synonyms of nails

nails

verb

present tense third-person singular of nail

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

• bangs
• hits
• knocks
• slaps
• punches
• clips
• smacks
• slams
• claps
• pounds
• strikes
• whacks
• swipes
• cracks
• bats
• hammers
• boxes
• socks
• licks
• taps
• bashes
• kicks
• thumps
• clocks
• tags
• belts
• pastes
• chops
• jabs
• bobs
• flicks
• zaps
• raps
• slugs
• pokes
• bludgeons
• clouts
• thwacks
• swats
• stabs
• smites
• bonks
• bops
• shoves
• wallops
• clobbers
• whales
• pushes
• strokes
• biffs
• bumps
• busts
• slogs
• mauls
• hangs one on
• lashes
• stamps
• knees
• cuffs
• pelts
• beats
• roughs
• peppers
• pummels
• slashes
• buffets
• laces
• scuffs
• mangles
• batters
• butts
• decks
• whips
• floors
• drubs
• pommels
• spears
• creams
• prods
• bunts
• brains
• lambastes
• dumps
• beans
• skulls
• jostles
• canes
• bowls (down or over)
• saps
• clubs
• sledges
• levels
• conks
• cudgels
• knocks down
• flails
• fells
• bungs
• switches
• sledgehammers
• thrashes
• flogs
• sucker punches
• rabbit-punches

2

as in decides

to make final, definite, or beyond dispute

this latest infidelity nails it—I'm filing for divorce

Synonyms & Similar Words

• decides
• determines
• clinches
• settles
• nails (down)
• proves
• clarifies
• defines
• shows
• ends
• ensures
• demonstrates
• illuminates
• states
• establishes
• insures
• affirms
• secures
• assures
• finishes
• specifies
• stipulates
• clears (up)
• concludes

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• confuses
• unsettles
• muddles
• muddies

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

• exposes
• uncovers
• demolishes
• shows up
• undresses
• debunks
• unmasks
• blows the whistle on
• discloses
• disproves
• uncloaks
• tells
• discredits
• divulges
• unveils

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• masks
• disguises
• hides
• conceals
• secretes
• cloaks
• camouflages
• veils

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

• arrests
• seizes
• grabs
• apprehends
• collars
• restrains
• nicks
• pinches
• runs in
• snatches
• captures
• detains
• pulls in
• hooks
• picks up
• nabs
• busts
• commits
• traps
• bags
• catches
• jails
• lands
• grapples
• snares
• confines
• snaps (up)
• handcuffs
• locks (up)
• imprisons
• binds
• interns
• enchains
• shackles
• incarcerates
• fetters
• holds
• gets
• jugs
• immures
• trammels
• manacles
• remands
• rearrests

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• springs
• discharges
• releases
• loosens
• frees
• liberates
• looses
• emancipates
• unbinds
• unchains

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

• grabs
• catches
• snatches
• lands
• hooks
• seizes
• captures
• gets
• traps
• bags
• snags
• collars
• raps
• snares
• grapples
• nets
• corrals
• snaps (up)
• nobbles
• cops
• takes hold (of)
• gloves
• nabs
• gloms
• clutches
• fists
• ropes
• grips
• grasps
• corners
• arrests
• clasps
• holds
• halters
• latches (on or onto)
• apprehends
• secures
• bays
• rends
• lassos
• kidnaps
• fastens (on)
• meshes
• detains
• abducts
• enmeshes
• wrests
• entraps
• spirits (away or off)
• entangles
• ensnares

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• misses
• releases
• frees
• discharges
• drops
• liberates
• loosens
• unhands

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of nails

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

Stripes continue to dominate summer style, and this easy matching set nails the trend without feeling overdone. — Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 10 July 2026

The costuming, which decks its cast in traditional Polynesian attire, nails the transition between media, but the real humans of the film clash against the cartoonish designs of Hei Hei or the giant crab Tamatoa (Jemaine Clement). — Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 8 July 2026

Spooky enough for Halloween and colorful enough for summer, this nails the summerween balance. — Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 8 July 2026