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
Relevance
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
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of nail
Early looks at the costuming, including test images the show made public, came in for aggressive criticism — an indication both that the real couple was so dearly loved, and that the production wasn’t quite nailing it.
—
Daniel D'addario, Variety, 3 Feb. 2026
Davis, who finished with 13 points and three 3-pointers, nailed the shot to spark a 10-0 Illinois run, and Ivišić went viral on social media for the unorthodox spike pass.
—Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune, 3 Feb. 2026
The key to nailing any coordinated dressing is much like good eyebrows—they’re sisters not twins.
—Alexandra Hildreth, Vogue, 2 Feb. 2026
The free throw proved important when Olivia Miles nailed a three-pointer to get TCU within a point with less than two seconds remaining.
—Arkansas Online, 2 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for nail
Daniel D'addario, Variety, 3 Feb. 2026
Davis, who finished with 13 points and three 3-pointers, nailed the shot to spark a 10-0 Illinois run, and Ivišić went viral on social media for the unorthodox spike pass.
—Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune, 3 Feb. 2026
The key to nailing any coordinated dressing is much like good eyebrows—they’re sisters not twins.
—Alexandra Hildreth, Vogue, 2 Feb. 2026
The free throw proved important when Olivia Miles nailed a three-pointer to get TCU within a point with less than two seconds remaining.
—Arkansas Online, 2 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for nail
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nail
Verb
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As former agent and cap expert Joel Corry told me, the amount that Ross agrees to pay of Tagovailoa’s 2026 salary (for a new team) would not have much effect on his Dolphins’ dead money cap hit provided the trade is made after June 1.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
13 Feb. 2026
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Some of the students at Naperville North tried to mimic the coach’s actions, working on their technique, while other appeared to be more focused on hitting the ball to their friend as hard as possible.—
Carolyn Stein,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Monitoring high-level athletes for drug misuse is nothing new, but the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) surprised many people recently by deciding to track the use of GLP-1 drugs, such as the diabetes and obesity treatments Ozempic (semaglutide) and Zepbound (tirzepatide).—
Emily Kay Votruba,
EverydayHealth.com,
13 Feb. 2026
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Winners of the Lucky for Life top prize of $1,000 a day for life and second prize of $25,000 a year for life can decide to collect the prize for a minimum of 20 years or take a lump sum cash payment.—
Staff Reports,
The Providence Journal,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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That designation means using or being exposed to the products may cause temporary or medically reversible health problems, and the risk of serious injury is considered low.—
Fernando Cervantes Jr,
USA Today,
17 Feb. 2026
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Dust icily exposes how character can evaporate in the crucible of greed, but the plodding pace makes this ethical exercise feel attenuated and flat by the time the climax rolls around.—
Leslie Felperin,
HollywoodReporter,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Months later, police obtained the criminal warrants to arrest the suspect at his residence.—
David Zimmermann,
The Washington Examiner,
6 Feb. 2026
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Lovely was arrested in connection with the stabbing and is also being treated at Atrium Hospital.—
Matthew Cupelli,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
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On Friday night, Harry and Meghan grabbed dinner at Funke in Beverly Hills, where Meghan celebrated her 44th birthday last August.—
Rachel Burchfield,
InStyle,
16 Feb. 2026
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Man, like when your hair starts grabbing at your collar.—
John Nogowski,
Hartford Courant,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The memo, which the AP reported is being used to train new officers amid an aggressive expansion of immigration arrests, has fueled confusion and fear about what rights actually apply when ICE comes knocking.—
Dante Motley,
Austin American Statesman,
10 Feb. 2026
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The former is a ring on the bottom of the rock that skids across the ice, and the latter is a band around the sides of the rock that collides with other rocks (ideally knocking an opponent’s rock off the bull’s-eye or nudging your team’s closer to it).—
Andrea Thompson,
Scientific American,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The committee uses 12 criteria to determine who belongs in the field and where teams should be seeded.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
15 Feb. 2026
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At the door, formidable bouncers determine your fate.—
Jessica Chapel,
Condé Nast Traveler,
15 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Six names uncovered The two lawmakers that spearheaded The Epstein Files Transparency Act, the law that forced the public release of the documents related to the investigation and death of Epstein, are still arguing that the Department of Justice isn't abiding by the law.—
Saige Miller,
NPR,
14 Feb. 2026
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Keeping it uncovered helps achieve a nice exterior.—
Betsy Cribb Watson,
Southern Living,
14 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nail.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nail. Accessed 17 Feb. 2026.
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