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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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
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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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More: Bourbon, other U.S. spirits could soon be hit with retaliatory EU tariffs.—
Olivia Evans,
The Courier-Journal,
25 July 2025
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The floods that hit the Hill Country nearly three weeks ago killed dozens of young girls at Camp Mystic, many of whose families live in the Houston region.—
Bayliss Wagner,
Austin American Statesman,
25 July 2025
Verb
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Elections in Kentucky have more frequently been decided in the primary, rather than the general election, as the state continues its rightward shift.—
Hannah Pinski,
The Courier-Journal,
28 July 2025
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Following World War II, then-owner J. Paul Getty decided to pivot and start building trailers out of the use of the company’s trademark aluminum monocoques, according to Car and Driver.—
Bryan Hood,
Robb Report,
28 July 2025
Verb
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The scene exposes the mythic hero and the choking mortal as two sides of the same coin: the fantasy of striving as salvation, and the ugly truth of its price.—
Leslie Jamison,
New Yorker,
4 Aug. 2025
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The bacteria can also infect people who are exposed to seawater or brackish water, via a wound or break in their skin.—
Chantelle Lee,
Time,
4 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Muse, 29, was arrested June 24, 2024, on allegations of inappropriate conduct with children at the Fort Worth private school.—
Harriet Ramos,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
24 July 2025
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In late December 2022, Bryan was arrested at his parents' — Maryann and Michael's — Pennsylvania home in connection with the murders of four University of Idaho students who were killed the previous month.—
Jordana Comiter,
People.com,
24 July 2025
Verb
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Leave your troubles behind and grab a lime, because Thursday is National Tequila Day.—
Ana Gutierrez,
Austin American Statesman,
25 July 2025
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Concerned, the roommates grabbed golf clubs from one of the first-floor bedrooms and checked the house for a possible intruder.—
Christopher Cann,
USA Today,
24 July 2025
Verb
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Instead, Sue goes all Mama Bear and uses her powers to knock him into the teleporter and then Silver Surfer has a change of heart and knocks him back in when Galactus tries to get out.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
26 July 2025
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Remember, as little as 6 inches of moving water can knock you off your feet.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
25 July 2025
Verb
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The researchers also used functional MRI (fMRI) analysis of brain activation during the simulated exposures, to determine how the brain processed this simulated threat.—
Paul Hsieh,
Forbes.com,
31 July 2025
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To determine this length of the record-holding megaflash, the team reviewed data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's GOES-16 satellite, which is equipped with a lightning mapper that observes about one million bolts per day.—
Stefanie Waldek,
Space.com,
31 July 2025
Verb
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Advertisement Some studies, including one conducted by Algorithmic Justice League founder Joy Buolamwini, have uncovered gender and racial bias in some AI systems.—
Chantelle Lee,
Time,
4 Aug. 2025
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To achieve localization, Reyes will draw from resources, such as ASU's rare book collections, to uncover the connections in history across America, Latin American, viceregal and Spanish Colonial art.—
Violet Bucaro,
AZCentral.com,
4 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Nail.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nail. Accessed 7 Aug. 2025.
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