1
as in bangs
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 decides
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 exposes
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 arrests
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 grabs
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
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Recent Examples of nails
The whole place just nails it — great energy, solid service and a killer playlist.
—
Jessica Peralta, Oc Register, 19 Sep. 2025
This one also nails the basics and provides clear footage.
—PC Magazine, 17 Sep. 2025
Sly jokes and cute cameos sprinkle the rest of the film like holy water, and Wan himself even appears in a pleasantly pandering concluding scene that nails the spirit of fan service.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 7 Sep. 2025
While Jones and Robinson are fine in the leads — Robinson particularly nails Charlie’s ever-evolving combination of sweet and prickly — they aren’t given the space to relax into their chemistry, let alone to show us who these characters are beyond two sets of clashing personality traits.
—Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 4 Sep. 2025
Gardner has plenty of facility with both; her tiny part at the end of this music video nails the distressed-wife bit in 15 seconds flat.
—Jesse Hassenger, Vulture, 29 Aug. 2025
The brand nails high-quality essentials that look luxe without wrecking your travel budget.
—Claire Gallam, Travel + Leisure, 27 Aug. 2025
This Nancy Meyers movie is a millennial classic and Lohan nails it as the American and British twins, Hallie and Annie.
—Kara Nesvig, Parents, 21 Aug. 2025
When ChatGPT nails your voice, tell it what worked.
—Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2025
Jessica Peralta, Oc Register, 19 Sep. 2025
This one also nails the basics and provides clear footage.
—PC Magazine, 17 Sep. 2025
Sly jokes and cute cameos sprinkle the rest of the film like holy water, and Wan himself even appears in a pleasantly pandering concluding scene that nails the spirit of fan service.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 7 Sep. 2025
While Jones and Robinson are fine in the leads — Robinson particularly nails Charlie’s ever-evolving combination of sweet and prickly — they aren’t given the space to relax into their chemistry, let alone to show us who these characters are beyond two sets of clashing personality traits.
—Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 4 Sep. 2025
Gardner has plenty of facility with both; her tiny part at the end of this music video nails the distressed-wife bit in 15 seconds flat.
—Jesse Hassenger, Vulture, 29 Aug. 2025
The brand nails high-quality essentials that look luxe without wrecking your travel budget.
—Claire Gallam, Travel + Leisure, 27 Aug. 2025
This Nancy Meyers movie is a millennial classic and Lohan nails it as the American and British twins, Hallie and Annie.
—Kara Nesvig, Parents, 21 Aug. 2025
When ChatGPT nails your voice, tell it what worked.
—Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nails
Verb
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But Harold gets on famously with Duke William, at least until the Norman warlord decides to assert his claim to the English throne.—
Will Collins,
The Washington Examiner,
19 Sep. 2025
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When her studio head boss asks her to fire her head writer Ava Daniels (Hannah Einbinder) to appease a toxic male movie star, Vance decides to walk away, and does it in on air.—
Megan Thomas,
CNN Money,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Against a United block that often exposes the space either side of the midfield two and has tended to concede from crosses, his ability to find those pockets and time his runs into the box should offer opportunities in the final third.—
Carl Anka,
New York Times,
14 Sep. 2025
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All this exposes a hole in the MAHA movement.—
Nicholas Florko,
The Atlantic,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Jonah grabs Henry's gun and shoots him coldly in the head.—
Bryan Alexander,
USA Today,
18 Sep. 2025
-
Plopping himself down on it, Mushi then grabs the blanket in his mouth again, pulls it over himself, and settles down for a nap.—
Rachael O'Connor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Capped at 50 members, the jury evaluates every new vehicle, technology and feature that hits the market annually.—
Mark Phelan,
USA Today,
20 Sep. 2025
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Many of the answers to that question won’t be popular, but governments are aware of the need to address the issue before crisis hits.—
Eleanor Pringle,
Fortune,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
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In Gattaca, the 1997 sci-fi classic, a pair of siblings—one genetically engineered for perfection, the other naturally born—illustrate a dystopian vision where DNA determines destiny.—
Niven R. Narain,
Forbes.com,
18 Sep. 2025
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An information court document allows prosecutors to charge someone directly and requires a probable cause hearing, during which a judge determines if there is sufficient evidence to proceed.—
Danya Gainor,
CNN Money,
17 Sep. 2025
Verb
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But Isabel's life gets upended when her sister unexpectedly dies — especially after Isabel uncovers her sibling's unfinished bucket list.—
Carly Tagen-Dye,
PEOPLE,
8 Sep. 2025
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Their investigation plunges them into the shadowy corners of New York and beyond—where the trio uncovers a dangerous web of secrets connecting powerful billionaires, old-school mobsters, and the mysterious residents of the Arconia.—
Jessica Radloff,
Glamour,
1 Sep. 2025
Verb
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When Day succumbs to his wounds, Dusk seizes the vacuum, claiming Hari Seldon’s psychohistory crystal.—
JP Mangalindan,
Time,
12 Sep. 2025
-
By the time Megan seizes control of the reins at the film’s close, the abrupt denouement feels jarringly disconnected rather than organic to the storytelling.—
Michael Rechtshaffen,
HollywoodReporter,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
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If your application catches FIFA’s eye, the next step is an invitation to Volunteer Team Tryouts, which run from October through January 2026.—
Meredith Heil Bock,
AFAR Media,
18 Sep. 2025
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Alphonse Pierre’s Off the Dome column covers songs, mixtapes, albums, scenes, snippets, movies, Meek Mill tweets, fashion trends—and anything else that catches his attention.—
Alphonse Pierre,
Pitchfork,
18 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Nails.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nails. Accessed 22 Sep. 2025.
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