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
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
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Recent Examples of nail
By nailing down Chance as the festival’s finale, before even his star-making turn at this year’s Grammy Awards, Sasquatch! grabbed one of this year’s marquee live acts for their youthful audience.
—
Charles R. Cross, The Seattle Times, 24 May 2017
Why does Apple nail what channel the Cavs game is on but Google does not?
—Alexis C. Madrigal, The Atlantic, 18 May 2017
Finally, in 2011, Shell and Eni paid the government $1.3 billion, including about $200 million as a signature bonus -- a onetime fee charged by some oil-producing nations -- to nail down the contract once and for all.
—Chiara Albanese, Bloomberg.com, 9 May 2017
How could anyone nail both the keys and the rhythms with perfect accuracy?
—David Pogue, Scientific American, 3 July 2017
See All Example Sentences for nail
Charles R. Cross, The Seattle Times, 24 May 2017
Why does Apple nail what channel the Cavs game is on but Google does not?
—Alexis C. Madrigal, The Atlantic, 18 May 2017
Finally, in 2011, Shell and Eni paid the government $1.3 billion, including about $200 million as a signature bonus -- a onetime fee charged by some oil-producing nations -- to nail down the contract once and for all.
—Chiara Albanese, Bloomberg.com, 9 May 2017
How could anyone nail both the keys and the rhythms with perfect accuracy?
—David Pogue, Scientific American, 3 July 2017
See All Example Sentences for nail
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nail
Verb
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Tire tread depth - Checking your tire tread before hitting the road is important, as low or no tread can lead to sliding.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
8 Apr. 2025
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In the Season 5 finale, June was deliberately hit and run over by a car bearing the Gilead symbol.—
Abigail Lee,
Variety,
8 Apr. 2025
Verb
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No matter how it is eventually decided, the race to host the 2036 Olympics is already shaping up to be one of the most intriguing in recent years.—
Blythe Lawrence,
Forbes.com,
30 Mar. 2025
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Conrad and Harry decide a meeting should be set up with Richie before things get out of hand.—
Matt Cabral,
EW.com,
30 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Raised in a household that welcomed exchange students and missionaries, Branch was exposed to diverse cultures from an early age.—
Chris Gallagher,
USA Today,
6 Apr. 2025
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That means delaying updates could leave you exposed to tricks like doubleclickjacking.—
Kurt Knutsson, CyberGuy Report,
FOXNews.com,
5 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Horner, owner of Tarpon Coast Fishing Charters, has since been arrested and charged with burglary with assault or battery following an investigation, according to Punta Gorda Police Department and the Daytona Beach News-Journal, part of the USA TODAY Network.—
Taylor Ardrey,
USA Today,
7 Apr. 2025
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Police arrested a man on Monday and accused him of intentionally crashing his vehicle into a pedestrian in Stamford in February, which landed the victim in the intensive care unit in a local hospital.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
7 Apr. 2025
Verb
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There was not a vast gulf between the teams on Saturday but Wolves had the edge in terms of quality, none more so than substitute Pablo Sarabia, who stepped off the bench to grab a goal and an assist with an ice-cool finish and a clever pass for Strand Larsen.—
Steve Madeley,
New York Times,
7 Apr. 2025
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In the footage, Combs, wearing a robe, is seen kicking Ventura, grabbing her by the hair and throwing her to the ground before grabbing her suitcase and handbag.—
Kevin Dolak,
HollywoodReporter,
7 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The American League East, almost always led in spending by the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox, now has another club knocking at the vault door.—
Barry M. Bloom,
Sportico.com,
8 Apr. 2025
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You could be struck by falling debris or knocked to the ground.—
Maya Wei-Haas,
New York Times,
8 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The election will determine the ideological balance of the highest state court.—
Jason D. Greenblatt,
MSNBC Newsweek,
2 Apr. 2025
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Those additional tariffs vary and were determined by looking at the rules in those countries around U.S. exports, according to the White House.—
Brian Bennett,
Time,
2 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The scene in Richard Donner's 1985 adventure comedy The Goonies in which the ragtag group of child explorers finally uncover the mythic pirate ship is one of the film's most unforgettable.—
Ryan Coleman,
EW.com,
7 Apr. 2025
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The researchers plan to investigate about 10,000 square meters (over 100,000 square feet) more of the area’s desert terrain in an effort to uncover additional tombs, Wegner said.—
Taylor Nicioli,
CNN Money,
5 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Nail.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nail. Accessed 13 Apr. 2025.
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