1
as in hitting
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 deciding
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 exposing
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 arresting
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 grabbing
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 nailing
Two seasons ago, the Cavaliers guard broke their hearts in dramatic fashion by nailing a game-winner from well beyond half court.
—
Mike Curtis, Dallas Morning News, 15 Mar. 2026
As the cameras flashed, Zendaya effortlessly transitioned from one position to the next, nailing every pose.
—Chanel Vargas, InStyle, 15 Mar. 2026
So what’s the key to nailing this elevated style in your home this year?
—Cori Sears, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 Mar. 2026
Landing a premium pick in this year’s draft — and nailing the selection — is of the utmost importance.
—Vincent Z. Mercogliano, New York Times, 13 Mar. 2026
Playing in the Salt Lake City arena where Michael Jordan iced his final NBA championship, Northwestern guard Bryant McIntosh scored a game-high 25 points, nailing 10 of 16 from the field and two game-winning free throws.
—Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 12 Mar. 2026
In the pre-cellphone-camera era, live performances were a second chance at nailing it.
—Hazlitt, 11 Mar. 2026
Second baseman Donovan Walton made a nice pick of catcher Sebastian Rivero’s throw in the dirt, nailing a runner stealing second.
—Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 8 Mar. 2026
With so little margin for error, there is huge pressure on nailing the transition of equipment.
—Ben Church, CNN Money, 18 Feb. 2026
Mike Curtis, Dallas Morning News, 15 Mar. 2026
As the cameras flashed, Zendaya effortlessly transitioned from one position to the next, nailing every pose.
—Chanel Vargas, InStyle, 15 Mar. 2026
So what’s the key to nailing this elevated style in your home this year?
—Cori Sears, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 Mar. 2026
Landing a premium pick in this year’s draft — and nailing the selection — is of the utmost importance.
—Vincent Z. Mercogliano, New York Times, 13 Mar. 2026
Playing in the Salt Lake City arena where Michael Jordan iced his final NBA championship, Northwestern guard Bryant McIntosh scored a game-high 25 points, nailing 10 of 16 from the field and two game-winning free throws.
—Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 12 Mar. 2026
In the pre-cellphone-camera era, live performances were a second chance at nailing it.
—Hazlitt, 11 Mar. 2026
Second baseman Donovan Walton made a nice pick of catcher Sebastian Rivero’s throw in the dirt, nailing a runner stealing second.
—Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 8 Mar. 2026
With so little margin for error, there is huge pressure on nailing the transition of equipment.
—Ben Church, CNN Money, 18 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nailing
Verb
-
Gerhardt Konig hoped Thursday to persuade a Hawaiian jury that hitting his wife repeatedly with a rock was self-defense.—
April 2,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
-
The film also was shown at a number of other festivals before hitting the awards circuit as the Palestinian entry for this year’s Academy Awards.—
Zach Dennis,
Charlotte Observer,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Global firms consider enforcement regimes when deciding where to locate research, production, and scaling operations.—
Laura Peter,
Fortune,
29 Mar. 2026
-
Even experienced players can misread a pitch by inches, which makes deciding whether to challenge even more difficult.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The class action suit against Google, filed last week by a plaintiff with the pseudonym Jane Doe, alleged that the company's AI Mode created its own summaries and links, exposing Epstein victims' personal identifying information (PII), including names, phone numbers and email addresses.—
Jennifer Elias,Jonathan Vanian,
CNBC,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Low level light therapy While research is still mounting, studies suggest that exposing the skin to specific wavelengths of light can extend the growth phase of hair, reduce the inflammation that damages follicles and interferes with the growth cycle, and improve the density and thickness of hair.—
Rebecca Strong,
USA Today,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Federal officials reinstated the 1998 order in February after arresting her.—
Sophie Austin,
Los Angeles Times,
1 Apr. 2026
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However, just before the ceremony was set to begin, two officials from the county's sheriff's office halted the wedding by arresting Armstrong.—
Rachel Raposas,
PEOPLE,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Kyla Oldacre led Texas with 11 points off the bench while grabbing seven rebounds.—
Haley Sawyer,
Oc Register,
4 Apr. 2026
-
The victim listed in the police records later told police about two incidents of physical assault, including grabbing, scratching, shoving and striking, according to the documents.—
Meriam Bouarrouj,
NBC news,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Those of us not actually knocking hung back in the stairwell; even so, some residents were hesitant to engage.—
Molly Fischer,
New Yorker,
2 Apr. 2026
-
In the fall, residents learn about the process through public service announcements, local media, door-knocking outreach or word of mouth.—
Celina Su,
The Conversation,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Officers responding to the initial call made no arrests after determining that no crime was committed, Mejia said.—
Cierra Morgan,
Los Angeles Times,
2 Apr. 2026
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Physical fitness, the body's ability to function properly, and the absence of disease are important factors in determining health, as is one's emotional, mental, and social state.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
There was a sense of anticipation in the air, the kind reserved for the thrill of uncovering something special.—
Minty Mellon,
Vogue,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Scientists have unraveled a 40‑year‑old mystery at the heart of sleeping sickness, uncovering how a deadly parasite behind the life-threatening disease repeatedly slips past the human immune system and survives long enough to cause serious illness.—
Melissa Fleur Afshar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nailing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nailing. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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