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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Acuña flashed during a late-season call-up, hitting .308 with three home runs in 39 at-bats.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
25 Jan. 2025
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With snow and freezing weather hitting most states in the U.S. this past week, many have had to deal with icy and snowy commutes.—
Staff report,
Hartford Courant,
25 Jan. 2025
Verb
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The top eight advanced direct to the last 16, while those clubs from ninth to 24th will contest a playoff to decide which eight teams join them.—
Greg O'Keeffe,
The Athletic,
30 Jan. 2025
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Universal, which had financed the $18 million film and planned to distribute it, had decided that the movie couldn’t be released in theaters with the 140-minute version that Fargeat had shown them.—
Elsa Keslassy,
Variety,
29 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Cryotherapy exposes your body to extremely cold temperatures, aiding post-exercise recovery.—
The Athletic UK Staff,
The Athletic,
24 Jan. 2025
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Naturally, she was exposed to a cornucopia of different genres and sounds, inspiring her to make her own material.—
Kyle Eustice,
SPIN,
24 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Rocky was arrested at Los Angeles International Airport on April 20, 2022, and released on bail the same day, per the Los Angeles Times.—
Daniela Avila,
People.com,
25 Jan. 2025
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Christopher Williams, 29, was arrested in Citrus Heights on suspicion of homicide.—
Ishani Desai,
Sacramento Bee,
25 Jan. 2025
Verb
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In the hills of the Palisades, near the Temescal Ridge Trail, Alex Emerick, 34, his younger sister, Rainier, and their parents grabbed garden hoses at their home of 33 years.—
Laura J. Nelson,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Jan. 2025
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The witness jumped in to assist and grab the knife, cutting himself in the process.—
Thomas Tracy,
New York Daily News,
25 Jan. 2025
Verb
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And in this case, Homeland Security is knocking on states’ doors.—
Ana Ceballos,
Miami Herald,
25 Jan. 2025
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But Keys was able to knock the tennis titan off balance with a stunning opening match, eventually winning the whole tournament in the final set, which was tied till the very end.—
Mansee Khurana,
NPR,
25 Jan. 2025
Verb
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The 1-year LPR determines rates on corporate and most household loans, while the 5-year LPR acts as a reference for mortgage loans.—
Anniek Bao,
CNBC,
20 Jan. 2025
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The investigators determined the vehicle was eastbound on E. Harwood Road at a high rate of speed, struck a curb, left the roadway, and crashed into the side of a building before catching fire.—
Shambhavi Rimal,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
20 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Trying to uncover precisely where the idea that Jennifer Aniston and Barack Obama are in a relationship came from is a tough, if borderline impossible, task.—
Callum Booth,
Forbes,
24 Jan. 2025
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Then, the researchers used telescopes at the W. M. Keck and Gemini observatories in Hawaii to uncover more details about the ancient, dead galaxy where no new stars are being formed.—
Ashley Strickland,
CNN,
24 Jan. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Nail.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nail. Accessed 2 Feb. 2025.
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