1
as in to hit
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 to decide
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 to expose
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 to arrest
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 to grab
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 nail
So yeah, my parents absolutely nailed it this year.
—
Daphne Wilder, Miami Herald, 4 Sep. 2025
Getting Spot to nail a triple backflip, on a practical level, actually shares some similarities with training a real dog.
—Mack Degeurin, Popular Science, 3 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
In Debruge’s view, White nailed the assignment.
—Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 2 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for nail
Daphne Wilder, Miami Herald, 4 Sep. 2025
Getting Spot to nail a triple backflip, on a practical level, actually shares some similarities with training a real dog.
—Mack Degeurin, Popular Science, 3 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
In Debruge’s view, White nailed the assignment.
—Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 2 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for nail
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nail
Verb
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When the financial crisis hit in 2008, Mindy Fitzpatrick considered selling her family’s 6-acre wooded lot on Friendly Road.—
Lisa Cericola,
Southern Living,
9 Sep. 2025
-
Sticker shock, though, is expected to hit when consumers shop for 2026 model year cars and trucks as more of those vehicles arrive at dealer lots, according to Cox Automotive.—
Susan Tompor,
USA Today,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Clinton has decided to join a direct rival even though City will not be competing in the Champions League this season.—
Charlotte Harpur,
New York Times,
6 Sep. 2025
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Related Stories When Ema disappears and tragedy is covered up, Daniel faces betrayal and decides to seek revenge before leaving.—
Emiliano De Pablos,
Variety,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
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No student or teacher should be exposed to these hazards.—
Erica Mosca,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Sep. 2025
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The fund will expose investors to fast-growing newer entrants like hardware and cloud provider IonQ and quantum chip fabricator Rigetti, alongside Big Tech players Microsoft, Nvidia, and IBM.—
Kelsey Warner,
semafor.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
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In December 2022, Kendra Licari was arrested and charged with multiple counts of stalking and using a computer to commit a crime, reported ABC News and the Morning Sun, a news outlet based in Mount Pleasant, Michigan.—
Gabe Hauari,
USA Today,
4 Sep. 2025
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Miami police on Tuesday arrested the father of a teen who was stabbed to death inside a Brickell condominium in June on a charge of violating a domestic violence injunction, his attorneys said.—
David Goodhue,
Miami Herald,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Video surveillance from the scene posted online by Fox 11 shows a man lingering near a doorway, quickly grabbing the gift box from a table and running out of the venue.—
Natalie Neysa Alund,
USA Today,
9 Sep. 2025
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The owner wanted to keep the grab-and-go options previously offered in the space.—
La Risa R. Lynch,
jsonline.com,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Even 6 inches of swiftly moving water can forcefully knock you off your feet.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
5 Sep. 2025
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Even 6 inches of moving water can pose a serious risk of knocking you off your feet.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The Office of the Inspector General launched a criminal investigation and determined the shots had been fired from where two FBI agents and an Oregon State Police officer had been standing.—
Nicole Blanchard,
Idaho Statesman,
7 Sep. 2025
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The first thing her soon-to-be husband did was fly to North Carolina to bring their youngest daughter home from camp, determined to have the entire family together for the special day.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
PEOPLE,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Over the course of Jess’s posts, readers learn about her complex relationship with her ex-best friend Chloe and uncover the truth about how the friendship broke apart.—
Caroline Carlson
September 2,
Literary Hub,
2 Sep. 2025
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Leaders can uncover the difference by asking questions.—
Dr. Diane Hamilton,
Forbes.com,
2 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Nail.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nail. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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