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
Examples 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 nails
Well cast are the kids, notably Miller as Rose, the older daughter who at first is under her mother’s protection before becoming the protector herself for sister Ollie, played by the exceptional young deaf actress Robbins who nails the role.
—
Pete Hammond, Deadline, 2 Oct. 2024
Pete Hammond, Deadline, 2 Oct. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nails
Verb
-
Of course, like any great horror protagonist, James decides to leap head first into the mystery despite common-sense reservations.George Yang, Rolling Stone, 4 Oct. 2024
-
Fighting between Israeli forces and Hezbollah militants continues inside southern Lebanon as Israel decides how to retaliate against Hezbollah ally Iran for its missile attack on Tuesday.George Petras, USA TODAY, 4 Oct. 2024
Verb
-
The mass rape trial in France exposes a case that’s both wholly unprecedented and dully familiar.Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 3 Oct. 2024
-
The performance-sensitive nature of AI quickly exposes any inefficiencies in the underlying storage platform, often highlighting the limitations of traditional storage systems.Steve McDowell, Forbes, 1 Oct. 2024
Verb
-
When pericarditis hits, the flare can cause debilitating fatigue which significantly impacts daily life.Carol Schram, Forbes, 4 Oct. 2024
-
If Israel hits Iran’s oil industry, supply disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz could become of concern, other analysts echoed.Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 4 Oct. 2024
Verb
-
The League’s Committee of Theatre Owners determines the specific plans for the light dimming tributes.Greg Evans, Deadline, 4 Oct. 2024
-
The Academy’s Writers Branch committee determines which films qualify for each category, independent of WGA rulings.Clayton Davis, Variety, 3 Oct. 2024
Verb
-
The Expansion Draft Once the league settles on expansion teams and ownership groups, the next step will be to hold an expansion draft.Bryan Toporek, Forbes, 3 Oct. 2024
-
As the family settles in, the home has become a hub for gathering.Kristen Flanagan, Architectural Digest, 30 Sep. 2024
Verb
-
That’s either a blessing or a curse for whomever eventually lands the coveted job.Nicole Phelps, Vogue, 4 Oct. 2024
-
At-the-money calendar spreads like this one are most profitable if the stock lands at the strike price on the expiration date.Michael Khouw, CNBC, 3 Oct. 2024
Verb
-
The recurring dispute over how well exit polling captures Latino voters — the groups and pollsters have raised it in previous elections — has ramifications for nonprofit groups that have focused on improving Latino voter turnout.Suzanne Gamboa, NBC News, 14 Nov. 2024
-
The exhibition captures fragments of life frozen in time through wood carvings on stained birch planks — a hand with its fingers crossed, a leaf suspended mid-fall and a ballerina’s foot.Violet Goldstone, WWD, 21 Oct. 2024
Verb
-
The film contains one of the great gross-out scenes of all time, in which Adjani has a bloody, violent miscarriage in a Berlin subway station and slams her body around as if in the throes of an exorcism.The New Yorker, The New Yorker, 18 Oct. 2024
-
Brown is casting Moreno as a wealthy businessman who is out for himself, and Moreno, R-Ohio, slams Brown as a career politician who is a rubber stamp for President Joe Biden and Harris.Democrat-Gazette staff from wire reports, arkansasonline.com, 13 Oct. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near nails
Cite this Entry
“Nails.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nails. Accessed 25 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share