nail

verb

Definition of nailnext
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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nail
  1. hit
  2. decide
  3. expose
  4. arrest
  5. grab
  6. knock
  7. determine
  8. uncover
Verb
  • Joshua Hur hit a home run, Trey Ebel had a two-run double and Ethan Bingaman contributed an RBI triple.
    — Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2025
  • Bobby Orr’s 100th point, 1970 The record: Orr establishes a new record by becoming the first defenseman to ever hit the 100-point mark, which was supposed to be hallowed territory reserved only for forwards.
    — Sean McIndoe, New York Times, 26 Mar. 2025
Definition of hit
Verb
  • When Henry decides that Cromwell will follow Anne Boleyn to the Tower, the two men don’t face off or exchange their grievances or relive their past together.
    — Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2025
  • 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
Definition of decide
Verb
  • While interest in the series continues to grow, Adolescence has also exposed just how far manosphere dread goes online, sparking conversations online about who falls for it, and who gets hurt in the process.
    — CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 23 Mar. 2025
  • If tinea versicolor returns every time you're exposed to triggering conditions, there are ways to try to prevent it.
    — Sarah Bradley, Health, 23 Mar. 2025
Definition of expose
Verb
  • The women were arrested on child abuse charges after Ruby Franke's emaciated 12-year-old son Russell escaped through a window and knocked on a neighbor's door.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 26 Mar. 2025
  • Two months later, a Canadian tourist was arrested for allegedly flying a drone over a defense installation in Florida.
    — Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 26 Mar. 2025
Definition of arrest
Verb
  • Urban Roots was the only California brewery to grab a spot on USA Today’s list of the best brewpubs in the United States.
    — Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 26 Mar. 2025
  • Perhaps Woodley and Bravo will cozy up in L.A. next, grab a burrito and head over to Leo Carrillo.
    — Amy Hubbard, Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 2025
Definition of grab
Verb
  • Continue reading … Click here for more cartoons… MEDIA 'GOTTA BE UPSET' – NYT columnist knocks Obama's legacy as '0-for-3' on some of his biggest proposals.
    — FOXNews.com, FOXNews.com, 27 Mar. 2025
  • The Reacher star recently revealed that he was knocked unconscious while filming a fight scene for the Season 3 finale of his Prime Video series, which is now available to stream on the platform.
    — Glenn Garner, Deadline, 27 Mar. 2025
Definition of knock
Verb
  • Understanding financial interest and signature authority is key to determining whether a filing obligation exists.
    — Virginia La Torre Jeker, J.D., Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
  • The man’s cause and manner of death will be determined following an autopsy, authorities said.
    — Tanasia Kenney, Miami Herald, 21 Mar. 2025
Definition of determine
Verb
  • In December, an investigation by The Information uncovered 262 cases of AI adoption across 170 local councils, with AI being used for everything from keeping drivers informed about available parking to helping the public sort their recycling.
    — Will McCurdy, PCMAG, 22 Mar. 2025
  • Now, security researchers have uncovered a vital component of those attacks, used to disable anti-malware protections.
    — Davey Winder, Forbes, 22 Mar. 2025
Definition of uncover

Phrases Containing nail

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naïfs
nail
nail-biter
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Cite this Entry

“Nail.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nail. Accessed 2 Apr. 2025.

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