1
as in to hit
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
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2
as in to decide
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 to expose
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to arrest
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 to grab
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of nail
Few writers have nailed the interpersonal thriller better than Kitamura.
—
Joumana Khatib, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2025
But a few hours later, there was Thomson’s steady catcher spinning around and pumping his right fist after nailing Shohei Ohtani at second base to end the eighth inning.
—Matt Gelb, New York Times, 5 Apr. 2025
Hoffman nails every beat of this scene, always appearing in full control but also considerate and loving.
—Erin Qualey, Vulture, 4 Apr. 2025
The nostalgic origins Korean jelly nails The allure of shiny, glittery, watery nails for spring and summer is easy to understand—on TikTok alone, #jellynails already boasts more than 20,000 entries and counting.
—Irene Coltrinari, Vogue, 4 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for nail
Joumana Khatib, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2025
But a few hours later, there was Thomson’s steady catcher spinning around and pumping his right fist after nailing Shohei Ohtani at second base to end the eighth inning.
—Matt Gelb, New York Times, 5 Apr. 2025
Hoffman nails every beat of this scene, always appearing in full control but also considerate and loving.
—Erin Qualey, Vulture, 4 Apr. 2025
The nostalgic origins Korean jelly nails The allure of shiny, glittery, watery nails for spring and summer is easy to understand—on TikTok alone, #jellynails already boasts more than 20,000 entries and counting.
—Irene Coltrinari, Vogue, 4 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for nail
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nail
Verb
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New York’s forward did so by staying attached through the bazillion screens Detroit set and recovering when he was hit.—
James L. Edwards III,
New York Times,
20 Apr. 2025
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Houston threw numbers behind the ball for most of the game to avoid getting hit by the deadly counterattacks and transitions KC has been known for.—
Daniel Sperry,
Kansas City Star,
20 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Rudd agrees and, delighted by the experience, returns the favor for Samberg, who decides to don only a T-shirt for his portrait.—
Ryan Coleman,
EW.com,
23 Apr. 2025
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The courts have issued several orders that the Trump administration has ignored, and the courts must decide what to do about it.—
Ross Rosenfeld,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Musk increasingly a political risk Musk's entry into Trump world exposed discord between Trump's original hardline loyalists and a group of tech billionaires led by Musk who gravitated to Trump during the 2024 election.—
Joey Garrison,
USA Today,
30 Apr. 2025
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The financial crisis exposed weaknesses, and within a few years, the firm was forced to sell.—
Robert Balentine,
Forbes.com,
30 Apr. 2025
Verb
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During the court hearing, the Florida Highway Patrol was the only agency mentioned as an arresting agency in those cases, including the one of the U.S. citizen.—
Ana Ceballos,
Miami Herald,
19 Apr. 2025
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Two people are dead and a man who held Sacramento police at bay for hours before surrendering early Friday has been arrested in the slayings.—
Darrell Smith,
Sacbee.com,
18 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Antetokounmpo finished the game by scoring 36 points, grabbing 13 rebounds, and blocking two shots.—
Nicholas Creel,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 Apr. 2025
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Metcalf grabbed Anthony and again told him to get from under the team’s tent, then Anthony pulled out a knife and stabbed Metcalf once in the chest before running away, the witness said.—
Mary Walrath-Holdridge,
USA Today,
18 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Jey landed a big uppercut early in the match that knocked Gunther on his butt.—
Alfred Konuwa,
Forbes.com,
19 Apr. 2025
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The next day, animal control officers returned to the home and knocked on the door, but no one answered, authorities said.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
19 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Transparent pricing: Rates are determined based on calculations that consider real factors—from driving experience and vehicle type to business location.—
Connie Etemadi,
USA Today,
27 Apr. 2025
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The new hearing is scheduled for May 9 and will determine the admissibility of the reports.—
Charna Flam,
People.com,
26 Apr. 2025
Verb
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By enriching this data with operational and financial metrics, organizations can perform advanced analytics to uncover actionable root causes and establish a financial link to CX value.—
Forrester,
Forbes.com,
30 Apr. 2025
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Fox Nation's 'Titanic Secrets' busts the myths that have long been held at the bottom of the sea and uncovers the truth in this century-long conspiracy.—
Andrea Margolis,
FOXNews.com,
30 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Nail.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nail. Accessed 3 May. 2025.
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