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
Director Paul Weiland, who lived out the exact same bar-mitzvah scenario his protagonist does, nails the specifics of a summer that, for better and for worse, remains ingrained into the national psyche.
—
Jon O'Brien,
Vulture,
26 June 2026
Every year, Michaels nails the gothic aesthetic for its Halloween lineup—and this year, there are a few different hauntingly historic collections to browse.
—
Sophia Beams,
Better Homes & Gardens,
25 June 2026
For more formal occasions, this DKNY satchel nails the sweet spot between sleek and practical.
—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
25 June 2026
Give key lime pie nails a futuristic twist with a chrome finish.
—
Amanda Le,
InStyle,
24 June 2026
Anhaishuilv Leather Belt Minimalist accessories are trending, and this slim belt nails the look without the luxe price.
—
Rosie Marder,
Travel + Leisure,
18 June 2026
In one respect, though, Young Washington nails it.
—
James Parker,
The Atlantic,
16 June 2026
The home nails that rustic aesthetic and is fronted by generous glazing, including double glass doors, with a second entrance at the side.
—
New Atlas,
16 June 2026
Each channel nails one corner of the triangle and leaves the other two as an exercise for the artist to figure out alone.
—
Sam Saideman,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2026
Jon O'Brien,
Vulture,
26 June 2026
Every year, Michaels nails the gothic aesthetic for its Halloween lineup—and this year, there are a few different hauntingly historic collections to browse.
—
Sophia Beams,
Better Homes & Gardens,
25 June 2026
For more formal occasions, this DKNY satchel nails the sweet spot between sleek and practical.
—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
25 June 2026
Give key lime pie nails a futuristic twist with a chrome finish.
—
Amanda Le,
InStyle,
24 June 2026
Anhaishuilv Leather Belt Minimalist accessories are trending, and this slim belt nails the look without the luxe price.
—
Rosie Marder,
Travel + Leisure,
18 June 2026
In one respect, though, Young Washington nails it.
—
James Parker,
The Atlantic,
16 June 2026
The home nails that rustic aesthetic and is fronted by generous glazing, including double glass doors, with a second entrance at the side.
—
New Atlas,
16 June 2026
Each channel nails one corner of the triangle and leaves the other two as an exercise for the artist to figure out alone.
—
Sam Saideman,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nails
Verb
-
Especially the guy who bangs a wrecking ball against the historic East Wing to make room for an incongruous ballroom monstrosity, who mars the sacred Oval Office with gold glitter and paves over the lovely Rose Garden.
-
When selecting the perfect of-the-moment style for you (Jane Birkin bangs?
Verb
-
Michelle, who is smarting from Jesse and Lacy’s visible affection, decides to go full Coyote Ugly on the bar.
-
If a corporation decides to pursue innovation outsourcing, a key consideration is to be transparent with your VC partner.
Verb
-
Inflation often exposes weaknesses that already existed within a business.
-
Morning sun followed by afternoon shade generally is easier on plants than the reverse, which exposes them to the more intense afternoon rays.
Verb
-
Keith arrests our thinking, and cons us into suppressing our critical faculties with the same kind of internalized surveillance that philosopher Michel Foucault broke down to describe a prison’s use of the panopticon in Discipline and Punish.
-
Devlin throws a punch at Stone when the chief arrests him for drunken driving.
Verb
-
Once inside, she’s confronted by Tommy (James Eddie), who stupidly grabs her to escort her out.
-
When forecasters warn about a heat wave, the number that grabs headlines is the daytime high.
Verb
-
Lightning hits the United States approximately 25 million times annually.
-
When a large body hits, some of the impact energy goes into vaporizing or melting rock right at the impact site.
Verb
-
This information is continuously shared across a command-and-control network that decides whether an engagement is necessary, selects the most suitable interceptor, and determines the optimal launch time.
-
To this, Dobos says more information on the molecular size and weight of the structure (which determines the level of skin penetration) is needed.
Verb
-
The investigation uncovers a decades-old love affair, revealing that the person Grandma had been exchanging letters with for half a century via the traditional qiaopi system was a complete stranger.
-
As her historically Black neighborhood is rapidly gentrified and her neighbors mysteriously disappear, Sydney uncovers a sinister conspiracy.
Cite this Entry
“Nails.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nails. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
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