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
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Recent Examples of nails
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
Tramon Mark nails a big 3-pointer for Texas, Josh Hubbard misses two free throws, and Dailyn Swain converts a 3-point play.
—Thomas Jones, Austin American Statesman, 3 Jan. 2026
But Louisa absolutely nails the appeal of this show.
—Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 2 Jan. 2026
Now, she name-checks fellow makeup artist, Nina Park, as someone who nails the look time and time again.
—Hannah Coates, Vogue, 1 Jan. 2026
Each actress nails the comedic timing – and the accented English that flows with the cadence of their mother tongues.
—Elizabeth B. Kim, Cincinnati Enquirer, 7 Nov. 2025
The Adidas Handball Spezial nails a mix of iconic Adidas design and subtle trend twist, perfect for strolling city streets or travel days.
—Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 22 Oct. 2025
The Acer Aspire Go 15 laptop is $300 off and nails the basics with smooth performance for work, streaming, and calls, plus a sturdy build that feels dependable every day.
—PC Magazine, 17 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nails
Verb
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The sheep alien bangs its head on the glass in the nextdoor cell, startling Tootles, who falls over and spills the tray.—
Verb
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And while Elliott would like to see Nielsen as the next CEO, if the board decides on someone else who is equally qualified, Elliott will support that decision.—
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Georgia grows tired of her husband and their nightly trips to the fancy French restaurant and decides to have an affair with another man at another table (Alan Howard).—
Verb
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The war in Ukraine exposes these trans-Atlantic strains most acutely.—
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To get Corky off his back, Pine exposes his drinking issues, then takes over as the owner of Tradepass, the front company that Roper uses to sell weapons under the guise of agricultural equipment.—
Verb
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Bascombe is the one who arrests Jamie Miller (Cooper) under suspicion of murder.—
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Police officer Hugo Crussi (Vogrincic) traces the voice to a young preacher, Jonas Flores (Zurita), and arrests him.—
Verb
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But as the ball arrives the defender grabs the jersey with the right hand and pulls the defender down.—
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As one officer grabs at her door handle, a third officer who had circled to the front of the SUV from the opposite side draws his gun.—
Verb
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In exchange for Sonis, Summit FC sent $120,000 to Louisville, a sum that could rise to $160,000 if Sonis hits certain performance conditions.—
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Keeping the Uconnect infotainment system in play is also a win for the Stellantis brand with its extremely simplistic useability, which really hits home for many.—
Verb
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The system determines whether sanitization is needed and leaves that choice to the user.—
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Even with a healthy points balance, flexibility often determines whether booking an award flight is possible.—
Verb
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Her new drama stars Léa Seydoux as a renowned pianist who relocates with her family to the countryside and then uncovers a life-shattering truth that forces her to confront the complexities of love and trust.—
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Kacen Bayless is the Democracy Insider for The Kansas City Star, a position that uncovers how politics and government affect communities across the sprawling Kansas City area.—
Cite this Entry
“Nails.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nails. Accessed 14 Jan. 2026.
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