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
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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
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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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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
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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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of nail
Kitsch without meaning is just clutter, so take your time building a look that feels sentimental and nostalgic to really nail the style.
—
Cori Sears, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Jan. 2026
The Gators led by three before Trent Burns nailed a buzzer-beating 3.
—Maddie Hartley, Kansas City Star, 4 Jan. 2026
This is a practically perfect translation, capturing the books’ madness, eccentric humor, and darkly inventive imagination — and Harris, of course, nails it.
—Will Harris, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Jan. 2026
Wil Lutz nails the 24-yard field goal.
—Joe Nguyen, Denver Post, 4 Jan. 2026
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Recent Examples of Synonyms for nail
Verb
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Iowa then got three good looks from the three-point line in the final seconds but couldn't hit the tying shot.—
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Despite their franchise history dating back to the mid-70s (via Kansas City and Colorado), which includes essentially all of the highest-scoring era in league history, the New Jersey Devils have never had a player hit either of the game’s most basic offensive milestones.—
Verb
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This past Christmas, as a meaningful and nostalgic compromise, the McAlarneys and a group of other parents from their daughter Maddie's second-grade class all decided to get their children Tin Can landline phones for Christmas.—
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Shanahan and Fangio are considered some of the best offensive and defensive play callers in the sport, and the matchup could decide who moves on to the divisional round.—
Verb
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The war in Ukraine exposes these trans-Atlantic strains most acutely.—
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The system targets people exposed to constant stimulation, including healthcare workers, corporate employees, athletes, and military personnel.—
Verb
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Deputies arrested Sargent on Thursday on two felony animal-cruelty counts and one misdemeanor count.—
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Byron Sigcho-Lopez (25th) demanded that if and when Customs and Border Protection Commander Gregory Bovino returns to Chicago, he should be arrested.—
Verb
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Tri-State Fishing and Outdoor Show Don your camo gear and grab your fishing poles for the Tri-State Fishing and Outdoor Show.—
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The suspects, seen grabbing armfuls of merchandise during multiple rounds of theft, reportedly fled in a U-Haul truck, Lower Merion Police told Fox 29 Philadelphia.—
Verb
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Even 6 inches of moving water can pose a serious risk of knocking you off your feet.—
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Key's Jerry is a disruption through and through, knocking everything just a little off-kilter with each volatile appearance.—
Verb
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The chairman warned that the outcome of the investigation will determine the future of the central bank’s decisions.—
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Back in October, the Golden Globes announced a longer list of 25 shows eligible for these first-ever podcast nominations, determined by the Globes' data partner, Luminate.—
Verb
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Netflix uncovered release dates and fresh looks for a number of projects from its 2026 film slate, including sneak peeks at Millie Bobby Brown in Enola Holmes 3 and John Cena in the comedy Little Brother.—
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Local journalism, formerly the institution most responsible for uncovering wrongdoing, has been gutted.—
Cite this Entry
“Nail.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nail. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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