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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
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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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of nail
Morocco’s Ismael Saibari nailed the winning penalty kick to give Morocco the 3-2 win in the stage, advancing the squad to the Round of 16.
—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
30 June 2026
Teun Koopmeiners walked up for the Dutch and buried the first penalty and then Neil El Aynaoui nailed the bar for Morocco, putting the African champions behind.
—
Kyle Feldscher,
CNN Money,
29 June 2026
The color palette shifts among black and white, sepia-toned, and some gray-green patina to really nail the foreboding aura.
—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
29 June 2026
Despite her years away from the sport, Ohashi did not hold back on difficulty, nailing her trademark acrobatic skill, a standing Arabian, to booming cheers from the small Minnesota crowd.
—
Caroline Price,
Forbes.com,
27 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for nail
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
30 June 2026
Teun Koopmeiners walked up for the Dutch and buried the first penalty and then Neil El Aynaoui nailed the bar for Morocco, putting the African champions behind.
—
Kyle Feldscher,
CNN Money,
29 June 2026
The color palette shifts among black and white, sepia-toned, and some gray-green patina to really nail the foreboding aura.
—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
29 June 2026
Despite her years away from the sport, Ohashi did not hold back on difficulty, nailing her trademark acrobatic skill, a standing Arabian, to booming cheers from the small Minnesota crowd.
—
Caroline Price,
Forbes.com,
27 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for nail
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nail
Verb
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Against Cardinals’ starting pitcher Matthew Liberatore, the Braves mustered just one hit and one run through five innings of an eventual 5-3 loss.
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Thomas had hit a leadoff double, but Michael Massey, Salvador Perez and John Rave failed to drive him in.
Verb
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Both Swift and Kelce decided to forgo bridesmaids and groomsmen, per a statement shared with People.
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Later, Swift revealed that she was charmed by Kelce’s willingness to court her so publicly and decided to give him a chance.
Verb
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The team’s findings suggest that crushing concrete and exposing it to air during recycling or shallow burial could dramatically improve its ability to immobilize radioactive contaminants.
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Rinse the blueberries under cold running water, gently swishing them around with your hands to ensure all the berries are exposed to water.
Verb
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On July 1, Russian daredevils climbed to the tip of the building's spire before getting engaged, and then arrested.
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Two people were arrested and charged with murder Thursday in the 2024 overdose death of a Fort Worth man, according to online jail records.
Verb
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Video of the incident showed the professor grabbing and twisting the arm of the pro-Palestinian student.
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As police tried to handcuff Sever, the Westmoreland County District Attorney's Office said Sever swung at troopers and forcefully grabbed at a trooper's duty weapon, which was secured in a holster.
Verb
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Each part looks radically different today than when players first started knocking balls around hundreds of years ago.
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The bench tipped, and the man put out a hand to steady himself, knocking a Hopi headpiece off a ledge.
Verb
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Readiness is an ongoing practice, not a declaration, determined by daily interactions and the safety to be candid.
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Investigators later determined the teen had distant family members in Colorado.
Verb
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Astronomers have uncovered a pair of giant planets that are lighter than cotton candy — super-puffs the size of Jupiter.
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The search uncovered 117 intact canine remains from two dig sites, in various stages of decomposition.
Cite this Entry
“Nail.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nail. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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