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

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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

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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

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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

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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 Thomas is anxious, but with death looming, Vision finally nails the conversation he’s been practicing by investing it with real emotion, conviction, and support. — Tasha Robinson, Vulture, 21 Oct. 2026 Diego Cardoso, the culinary director for the museum, developed a menu that nails the balance of high-low. — Khushbu Shah, Bon Appetit Magazine, 20 Oct. 2026 Charlotte Tilbury’s Lip Cheat Long Lasting Waterproof Lip Liner nails the trifecta, with a comfortable formula, impressive staying power, and an impressive shade range that makes finding a natural-looking match refreshingly easy. — Sheryl George, Allure, 20 Oct. 2026 The black diamond backdrop framing the classic cowboy spur really nails the retro look. — Jon Root Outkick, FOXNews.com, 12 Oct. 2026 Anderson’s collaboration with this gifted young man nails the one thing that every great concert movie tries gift to those who could not be there for the original moment. — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 2 Oct. 2026 The film’s most heartbreaking scene sees Davidson’s character singing to his daughter over the phone before a deadly shootout ensues, and the actor nails it. — Marlow Stern, Variety, 30 Sep. 2026 The Rittenhouse nails it on superlative quality and prime Center City setting. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Sep. 2026 There is something about that scene that nails the nuance of being gutted by the crimes of powerful, entitled men. — Beandrea July, IndieWire, 14 Sep. 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

Yannis decides to go for STP, a Black Forest gâteau, and a Mary Berry’s recipe for Queen of Desserts, which is a mix of breadcrumbs and custard with jam and topped with meringue.

— Brian Moylan, Vulture, 23 Oct. 2026
Federal agencies have overlapping jurisdiction over captive marine mammals –– for sea lions, the USDA oversees their welfare and NOAA decides who can keep them for public display.

— Valerie Greene, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of decides

Verb

Measuring the complete outcome also exposes the hidden economics of failures, retries, latency, human intervention and rework.

— Jesse Stockall, Forbes.com, 20 Oct. 2026
As search data like Feel30’s exposes just how many patients are confused about discontinuation, expect state medical boards and payers to begin asking harder questions about informed consent, tapering documentation and provider supervision.

— Samantha Agate, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 19 Oct. 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

If anyone who is hired to MC one of the largest events in golf grabs a microphone and joins in on ‘f you’ chants directed at a player in the event you're being paid to be a part of, that person is undoubtedly being fired, regardless of gender.

— Mark Harris OutKick, FOXNews.com, 22 Oct. 2026
The suspect runs inside, grabs rolls of lottery tickets, stuffs them into a bag and runs out.

— Tara Lynch, CBS News, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of grabs

Verb

However, the discovery does not mean the same genetic variation determines organ placement in humans.

— Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2026
The Eagles announced Thursday that Hurts would miss Sunday’s game against the Carolina Panthers while the team determines his treatment.

— Angela Haupt, Time, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of determines

Verb

As the investigation uncovers a string of killings linked to a strange ritual, the two are pushed into working together, facing down otherworldly threats as well as unfinished business from Lan’s past.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 8 Oct. 2026
Discover the Rhythm of Florida’s Northwest Coast From a boutique inn to the backwater bays Taylor Eisenhauer uncovers the storied side of Florida’s Panhandle.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Sep. 2026