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
The 21-year-old Virginia native gracefully moved up and down the ice, nailing a triple axel before coming into his change camel spin.
—
Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 10 Feb. 2026
Allen has been the essential leader of their resurgence, nailing difficult decisions that even Hall of Fame owners might get wrong.
—Jerry Brewer, New York Times, 4 Feb. 2026
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
The key to nailing any coordinated dressing is much like good eyebrows—they’re sisters not twins.
—Alexandra Hildreth, Vogue, 2 Feb. 2026
So, what’s the trick to nailing the floral appliance trend in your home this year?
—Cori Sears, The Spruce, 1 Feb. 2026
As such the key challenge is in nailing the underlying AI interaction experience, not just the AI pin’s hardware.
—Andrew Williams, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026
One of the main elements in creating a comfortable environment for guests in your home is nailing the perfect thermostat temperature.
—Patricia Shannon, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Jan. 2026
John Gracey is best at nailing the sitcom-like aspects of his character, Beau’s brother.
—Matthew J. Palm, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Jan. 2026
Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 10 Feb. 2026
Allen has been the essential leader of their resurgence, nailing difficult decisions that even Hall of Fame owners might get wrong.
—Jerry Brewer, New York Times, 4 Feb. 2026
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
The key to nailing any coordinated dressing is much like good eyebrows—they’re sisters not twins.
—Alexandra Hildreth, Vogue, 2 Feb. 2026
So, what’s the trick to nailing the floral appliance trend in your home this year?
—Cori Sears, The Spruce, 1 Feb. 2026
As such the key challenge is in nailing the underlying AI interaction experience, not just the AI pin’s hardware.
—Andrew Williams, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026
One of the main elements in creating a comfortable environment for guests in your home is nailing the perfect thermostat temperature.
—Patricia Shannon, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Jan. 2026
John Gracey is best at nailing the sitcom-like aspects of his character, Beau’s brother.
—Matthew J. Palm, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nailing
Verb
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Meanwhile, bitcoin has dropped 50% since hitting a record high above $126,000 in October.—
John Towfighi,
CNN Money,
6 Feb. 2026
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The car collided with the bicyclist before continuing another block and hitting the bakery section of a 99 Ranch Market location in the Westwood neighborhood.—
David Zimmermann,
The Washington Examiner,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Austria and Canada coming from 2-1 down to beat Japan and Brazil, the latter coming from Liam Draxl seeing out a win over Gustavo Heide despite rolling his ankle in the seventh game of the deciding rubber.—
James Hansen,
New York Times,
9 Feb. 2026
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The veteran skier had previously ruptured her ACL in her left knee before deciding to still compete in this year's Olympic Games.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Any involvement should focus on regulation, consumer protection, and understanding emerging technologies without exposing taxpayers to unnecessary risk.—
Eleanor Dearman,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 Feb. 2026
-
Gradually exposing yourself to travel, starting with small trips, can help overcome anxiety long-term.—
Zach Wichter,
USA Today,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
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To be sure, arresting undocumented immigrants who have committed violent crimes is a worthy goal.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Feb. 2026
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The Iranian regime, in addition to arresting protesters, has started targeting anyone who has attempted to help them.—
Cora Engelbrecht,
New Yorker,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Hearing the faint sirens of the white police officers who have been monitoring the area for no real reason, Kid attempts to blend into the party by grabbing the mic of the bored DJ—played by Parliament-Funkadelic’s George Clinton—to freestyle.—
Alphonse Pierre,
Pitchfork,
13 Feb. 2026
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Or, Stein recommends grabbing a bed/mattress vacuum that is made specifically for the mattress.—
Daley Quinn,
Southern Living,
12 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Buzelis was still suspended midair when Collin Sexton backpedaled underneath the forward, knocking his legs backward to send the younger player crashing to the floor, stomach-first.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Feb. 2026
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That's when Palmer punched Simpson in the mouth, knocking him to the floor, court records say.—
Amanda Lee Myers,
USA Today,
12 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Paxton’s intervention also criticizes the panel of administrative law judges for failing to seek a medical expert’s opinion before determining Bowden could be subject to discipline from the medical board.—
Evan MacDonald,
Houston Chronicle,
13 Feb. 2026
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Democrats had appealed to the Supreme Court that the Tazewell County Circuit Court ruling that Democrats in the legislature acted against proper procedure, striking down the referendum and determining that the current map must stay in place until 2028.—
Molly Parks,
The Washington Examiner,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The Heat views its approach not as an unwillingness to adapt to the NBA’s new world free-agency-is-no-longer-a-thing ecosystem, but a preference to rely on uncovering gems in the draft process than relying on the randomness of the draft lottery.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
10 Feb. 2026
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Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar announced Monday that investigators made several arrests after uncovering and disrupting a murder-for-hire plot orchestrated inside the county jail, aimed at killing or intimidating a witness in an ongoing case.—
Raul Trey Lopez,
San Antonio Express-News,
9 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nailing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nailing. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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