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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of nailing
This chunky-but-lightweight pair adds polish to any look without trying too hard—the key to nailing Portuguese style.
—
Becca Blond, Travel + Leisure, 10 Sep. 2025
After nailing Madigan’s position, Satkovich went in to add more lipstick.
—Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 4 Sep. 2025
The lack of reaction from Valdez after nailing his catcher in the stomach with a 93-mph fastball is rather telling.
—Andrew Wright, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025
When asked about a crisp white, my server walked me through a couple on the menu, nailing it with a crisp, acidic Alexakis Assyrtiko from the Greek island of Crete.
—Rachel Bernhard, jsonline.com, 29 Aug. 2025
But then Eala, who won the junior title here three years ago, started nailing her ground strokes and Tauson went off the boil.
—Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2025
This is why nailing your startup’s marketing is inseparable from product strategy.
—Abdo Riani, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2025
Lacan once again came in clutch, nailing a 3-pointer from the top of the key at the end-of-quarter buzzer to push Connecticut back to a double-digit lead.
—Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 17 Aug. 2025
Following a struggling young actor's return home to New Jersey after his mother dies, the film interrogates themes like mental illness, medication, growing up, and falling in love, sometimes nailing the sentiments and other times falling short.
—James Mercadante, EW.com, 14 Aug. 2025
Becca Blond, Travel + Leisure, 10 Sep. 2025
After nailing Madigan’s position, Satkovich went in to add more lipstick.
—Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 4 Sep. 2025
The lack of reaction from Valdez after nailing his catcher in the stomach with a 93-mph fastball is rather telling.
—Andrew Wright, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025
When asked about a crisp white, my server walked me through a couple on the menu, nailing it with a crisp, acidic Alexakis Assyrtiko from the Greek island of Crete.
—Rachel Bernhard, jsonline.com, 29 Aug. 2025
But then Eala, who won the junior title here three years ago, started nailing her ground strokes and Tauson went off the boil.
—Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2025
This is why nailing your startup’s marketing is inseparable from product strategy.
—Abdo Riani, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2025
Lacan once again came in clutch, nailing a 3-pointer from the top of the key at the end-of-quarter buzzer to push Connecticut back to a double-digit lead.
—Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 17 Aug. 2025
Following a struggling young actor's return home to New Jersey after his mother dies, the film interrogates themes like mental illness, medication, growing up, and falling in love, sometimes nailing the sentiments and other times falling short.
—James Mercadante, EW.com, 14 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nailing
Verb
-
Tire tread depth - Checking your tire tread before hitting the road is important, as low or no tread can lead to sliding.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
13 Sep. 2025
-
Smith stretched as far as his body would allow, inadvertently hitting the splits in the process.—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
13 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Palmer was part of a movement deciding to try something else instead of college.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
14 Sep. 2025
-
When deciding costumes, Heimann worked with Crowe to create scene-specific outfits, assembling a closet of clothes for each character.—
Meredith Wilshere,
PEOPLE,
13 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Edges and hems were purposely left romantically unfinished and raw, with bodices falling off to reveal the construction underneath or skirt panels hanging asymmetrically exposing multiple layers.—
Blue Carreon,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
-
Hialeah’s government is at a standstill after a bitter political deadlock over the city’s budget paralyzed the city council, exposing deep fractures in the leadership.—
Veronica Egui Brito,
Miami Herald,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Climate change has reduced its size dramatically, to a ghost of its former self, but the surrounding mountains are still arresting.—
Thomas Page McBee,
Travel + Leisure,
16 Sep. 2025
-
The plaintiffs later accused the department of violating the order by hitting journalists with batons and arresting them during an August protest.—
BrieAnna J. Frank,
USA Today,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
After grabbing an early lead Friday evening, the Royals were unable to match their hosts’ prolific offense on Friday.—
Jaylon Thompson,
Kansas City Star,
13 Sep. 2025
-
The owner squeezed her hands into the mix of kittens, moving the babies and grabbing the one that did not belong, which turned out to be a tiny mouse.—
Liz O'Connell,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
All we were focused on was just containing him, knocking the pocket back, just trying to keep him in the pocket, and forcing the football.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
14 Sep. 2025
-
No texts, no phone calls, no IMs—just walking over to their house, knocking on the door, and hanging out together?—
Kara Nesvig,
Parents,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
As much as students and parents may wish for it, there is no surefire way of determining whether a student will succeed in the admissions process.—
Christopher Rim,
Forbes.com,
19 Sep. 2025
-
Amendment should establish clearer standards and more independent mechanisms for determining presidential incapacity.—
Lynn Schmidt,
Twin Cities,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
This enables quantum systems to evaluate countless combinations of biomarkers, genetics and lifestyle variables at once, uncovering patterns too complex for classical algorithms.—
Somnath Banerjee,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
-
The top layers held leather goods from the 1900s, but instead of uncovering traces from the 1800s, 1700s and 1600s like in nearby digs, archaeologists jumped straight from the late 19th century to the Middle Ages.—
Andrea Margolis,
FOXNews.com,
11 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Nailing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nailing. Accessed 20 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share