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
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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
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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
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Recent Examples of nail
Laettner took one dribble, spun around and nailed the fadeaway jumper as time expired, giving Duke a 104-103 victory.
—
Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 25 Mar. 2026
Kiper’s mock then has the Dolphins using the 30th pick — acquired in the Jaylen Waddle trade with Denver — on Auburn’s Keldric Faulk, an edge rusher who looks the part (6-6, 276) and can nail a workout but produced a meager two sacks in 12 games last season.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 24 Mar. 2026
Rosenblatt, too, nails the back-and-forth of dialogue but, in his first attempt, can land, for fleeting but unwelcome moments, in a schematic place.
—Daniel D'addario, Variety, 24 Mar. 2026
Conchiglioni, a larger shell pasta, manages to nail the best of both texture worlds, staying tender when submerged and catching color and crispiness at the surface.
—Rebecca Firkser, Bon Appetit Magazine, 23 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for nail
Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 25 Mar. 2026
Kiper’s mock then has the Dolphins using the 30th pick — acquired in the Jaylen Waddle trade with Denver — on Auburn’s Keldric Faulk, an edge rusher who looks the part (6-6, 276) and can nail a workout but produced a meager two sacks in 12 games last season.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 24 Mar. 2026
Rosenblatt, too, nails the back-and-forth of dialogue but, in his first attempt, can land, for fleeting but unwelcome moments, in a schematic place.
—Daniel D'addario, Variety, 24 Mar. 2026
Conchiglioni, a larger shell pasta, manages to nail the best of both texture worlds, staying tender when submerged and catching color and crispiness at the surface.
—Rebecca Firkser, Bon Appetit Magazine, 23 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for nail
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nail
Verb
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Crow-Armstrong had support from his team during Friday’s news conference, where first baseman Michael Busch, manager Craig Counsell, hitting coach Dustin Kelly, assistant hitting coach John Mallee and staff assistant AJ Lewis took in the scene.—
Meghan Montemurro,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Mar. 2026
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Alcantara left the mound with a lead, courtesy of the bottom of Miami’s lineup stringing together hits in the second.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
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There is still a lot of uncertainty, like whether or not to prune this season or decide to take out more vines.—
Carmela Karcher,
CBS News,
28 Mar. 2026
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On April 7, voters will decide the future of 24 Independence School District elementary, middle and high school buildings.—
Eleanor Nash,
Kansas City Star,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The breach exposed personal data such as addresses and social security numbers for more than 60 million students and teachers nationwide.—
Rebecca Noel,
Charlotte Observer,
31 Mar. 2026
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Florida is particularly exposed.—
Max Klaver,
Miami Herald,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Arnold's name was first brought up in the case after 23-year-old Boakai Hilton, who is believed to be an associate of Arnold, Arianna Del Valle, Jasmine Randazzo, Christion Williams, Lyndell Hudson and Freddie Hughes were arrested for allegedly kidnapping three men and assaulting them.—
DeJanay Booth-Singleton,
CBS News,
27 Mar. 2026
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After the pair were arrested, Haghighi also co-signed a letter of protest—as did Panahi, who, in turn, was arrested and imprisoned.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Making his fifth start of the season in Queta’s absence, the backup center tallied 20 points on 8-of-9 shooting and grabbed nine rebounds.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
31 Mar. 2026
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Miami is now 10-2 this season when grabbing more than 15 offensive rebounds.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Remember, as little as 6 inches of moving water can knock you off your feet.—
KANSAS CITY STAR WEATHER BOT,
Kansas City Star,
1 Apr. 2026
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About 2 minutes and 40 seconds into the fight, Grasso drilled Barber in the head with a left hook, knocking her out.—
Kyle Newman,
Denver Post,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
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White Settlement detectives collaborated with agencies across North Texas to determine whether the three suspects were connected to similar incidents in the Metroplex, according to the statement.—
Lillie Davidson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
29 Mar. 2026
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Pierson was determined to do things differently.—
Lauren Clark,
CBS News,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
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By improving their algorithms and collecting more data, the team hopes to improve their measurements and possibly uncover deviations from existing theories.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
28 Mar. 2026
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State Auditor Diana DiZoglio has also uncovered millions in SNAP and Medicaid fraud.—
Joe Battenfeld,
Boston Herald,
28 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nail.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nail. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
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