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
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
From shopping for clothes to nailing Parisian style in the heart of the city itself to snagging groceries to make a meal at your Airbnb, these bags are a sneaky hack to streamline your travel days.
—
Merrell Readman,
Travel + Leisure,
26 June 2026
Ellis reminded the crowd of attendees at the international festival of creativity that marketers have to protect their brands but also be adventurous to capture consumer attention and goodwill for nailing a moment a la L’Oreal and Durant.
—
Cynthia Littleton,
Variety,
24 June 2026
Sticking within similar tones of denim is the key to nailing this approach, and adding a coordinating bag or shoe helps bring it home.
—
Staff Author,
InStyle,
19 June 2026
Wetterberg is still nailing her cheerleading routines deep into her pregnancy!
—
Gina Kalsi,
PEOPLE,
18 June 2026
Croatia came close to nailing the equalizer in the 76th minute, but Jordan Pickford came up with the huge save.
—
Jim Barnes,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
17 June 2026
Balor was in control toward the end of the match, nailing his finisher on Jimmy Uso.
—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
14 June 2026
Together, Pascale and Katzmann dart after heart-sinking feelings, shooting their arrows and nailing life to the wall.
—
Emma Madden,
Pitchfork,
11 June 2026
Caroline Price,
Forbes.com,
27 June 2026
From shopping for clothes to nailing Parisian style in the heart of the city itself to snagging groceries to make a meal at your Airbnb, these bags are a sneaky hack to streamline your travel days.
—
Merrell Readman,
Travel + Leisure,
26 June 2026
Ellis reminded the crowd of attendees at the international festival of creativity that marketers have to protect their brands but also be adventurous to capture consumer attention and goodwill for nailing a moment a la L’Oreal and Durant.
—
Cynthia Littleton,
Variety,
24 June 2026
Sticking within similar tones of denim is the key to nailing this approach, and adding a coordinating bag or shoe helps bring it home.
—
Staff Author,
InStyle,
19 June 2026
Wetterberg is still nailing her cheerleading routines deep into her pregnancy!
—
Gina Kalsi,
PEOPLE,
18 June 2026
Croatia came close to nailing the equalizer in the 76th minute, but Jordan Pickford came up with the huge save.
—
Jim Barnes,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
17 June 2026
Balor was in control toward the end of the match, nailing his finisher on Jimmy Uso.
—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
14 June 2026
Together, Pascale and Katzmann dart after heart-sinking feelings, shooting their arrows and nailing life to the wall.
—
Emma Madden,
Pitchfork,
11 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nailing
Verb
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Leveraged ETFs that aim to amplify SpaceX’s performance by providing double the returns (or losses) are already hitting the market.
-
Ahead of the impending heat wave hitting the Pittsburgh area, Allegheny County officials have activated a Code Red Heat Advisory for Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday.
Verb
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In deciding to be cautious in handling two-time All-Star Shane McClanahan’s return to action for the first time since August 2023 by skipping his turn in the rotation, the Rays put some extra work on their relievers by designating Saturday as a bullpen game.
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But being heard is not the same as being placed in the position of deciding between parents.
Verb
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Her bodycon mermaid skirt was covered in diagonal rows of slits, exposing glimpses of her legs, hips, and butt.
-
This disconnect creates a growing opportunity for buyers while exposing weaknesses in businesses that haven't been built for transferability.
Verb
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Set the scene Set in a handsome Edwardian building off The Strand, One Aldywch is an arresting presence, not least because of the jutting angle of the front end of its facade (New York's Flatiron will spring to mind).
-
Police might no longer need to issue written warnings and give people a chance to gather their belongings and relocate before arresting them for public camping.
Verb
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Americans are grabbing their passports and fleeing the country in hopes of leaving the nation’s problems behind.
-
Swanson argues those behind-the-scenes improvements have done more to modernize logistics than many of the industry’s headline-grabbing automation projects.
Verb
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And take the Exit Readiness Quiz to understand exactly where the gaps are before any business buyer comes knocking.
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Even 6 inches of moving water can pose a serious risk of knocking you off your feet.
Verb
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Work-permit levels for TPS were set in 1990 and the complex method for determining whether someone qualifies for asylum was codified in 1996.
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Investigators are still determining what led up to the altercation, how the victim was murdered, and the suspect's motive.
Verb
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For both founders, the swap was less about replacing each other and more about learning from each other's businesses, uncovering operational blind spotsblind spots and offering pointers.
-
Part of the joy of this comedy-thriller from Andy Siara (Palm Springs) is uncovering its twisty secrets.
Cite this Entry
“Nailing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nailing. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
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