1
as in hitting
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 deciding
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 exposing
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 arresting
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 grabbing
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 nailing
At the end, though, kicker Wil Lutz played the hero, nailing a walk-off 39-yarder through the uprights as time expired.
—
Luca Evans, Denver Post, 20 Oct. 2025
Working with stylist Danielle Goldberg, the actor has been nailing the art of modern glamour.
—Christian Allaire, Vogue, 12 Oct. 2025
Rookie kicker Ryan Fitzgerald nailing the game-winning, 33-yard field goal as time expired.
—Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 12 Oct. 2025
Ty Baker got the lead back for Mission Hills, nailing a 48-yard field goal.
—John Maffei, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Oct. 2025
Its creamy texture spreads beautifully, the tapered point defines lips effortlessly, and the 12-color shade range is home to nudes, pinks, and reds that flatter a variety of skin tones (something else McGrath is known for nailing).
—Lily Wohlner, Allure, 10 Oct. 2025
In a commerce landscape of products going natural and not always nailing it, Blueland over-delivered.
—Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 8 Oct. 2025
While the product did appear to simplify the technique, for me, contouring was much more personal than nailing the look.
—Essence, 6 Oct. 2025
Meanwhile, Cole Haan, Caslon, and Avec Les Filles are really nailing it by putting fall-ready jackets on sale from $54.
—Alyssa Grabinski, PEOPLE, 6 Oct. 2025
Luca Evans, Denver Post, 20 Oct. 2025
Working with stylist Danielle Goldberg, the actor has been nailing the art of modern glamour.
—Christian Allaire, Vogue, 12 Oct. 2025
Rookie kicker Ryan Fitzgerald nailing the game-winning, 33-yard field goal as time expired.
—Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 12 Oct. 2025
Ty Baker got the lead back for Mission Hills, nailing a 48-yard field goal.
—John Maffei, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Oct. 2025
Its creamy texture spreads beautifully, the tapered point defines lips effortlessly, and the 12-color shade range is home to nudes, pinks, and reds that flatter a variety of skin tones (something else McGrath is known for nailing).
—Lily Wohlner, Allure, 10 Oct. 2025
In a commerce landscape of products going natural and not always nailing it, Blueland over-delivered.
—Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 8 Oct. 2025
While the product did appear to simplify the technique, for me, contouring was much more personal than nailing the look.
—Essence, 6 Oct. 2025
Meanwhile, Cole Haan, Caslon, and Avec Les Filles are really nailing it by putting fall-ready jackets on sale from $54.
—Alyssa Grabinski, PEOPLE, 6 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nailing
Verb
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Gausman had retired 17 straight Dodger batters until the seventh inning, when Smith yet again got the best of him, hitting a solo home run to break the stale mate.—
Jacob Lev,
CNN Money,
26 Oct. 2025
-
The singing voices behind KPop Demon Hunters' beloved girl group HUNTR/X will be hitting the stage to perform live in concert for the first time.—
Ingrid Vasquez,
PEOPLE,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Marchenko’s game-deciding shootout goal was the second of his career.—
Aaron Portzline,
New York Times,
26 Oct. 2025
-
But few, if any, are likely to have gone on the kind of journey Rachel Mae has been on since deciding to get her dogs tested.—
Jack Beresford,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
But this is a massive update, finally exposing what had always been a private metric.—
David Zucker,
Deadline,
27 Oct. 2025
-
This means exposing the shoulders, showing too much leg above the knees, or wearing clothing with crude or inappropriate imagery.—
Asia London Palomba,
Travel + Leisure,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Turner spoke with an arresting conviction, locating Canada’s fate in geography, history, and its defining quest to defy manifest destiny and political gravity.—
Dónal Gill,
The Dial,
28 Oct. 2025
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In Douala, Cameroon’s economic hub, security forces used water cannons and tear gas to disperse thousands of protesters, arresting close to 100.—
Amindeh Blaise Atabong,
semafor.com,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
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These are especially useful for taking public transport, grabbing a quick coffee, or leaving a small tip at a restaurant.—
Asia London Palomba,
Travel + Leisure,
25 Oct. 2025
-
Peterson led the way, scoring 26 points — 24 before halftime — and grabbing four rebounds.—
Shreyas Laddha,
Kansas City Star,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Known as knockers in England, kobolds also live in caves and mines and make knocking noises directing human miners where to dig.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 Oct. 2025
-
Even 6 inches of moving water can pose a serious risk of knocking you off your feet.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
26 Oct. 2025
Verb
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But with the number of kids worldwide skyrocketing, Santa has outsourced the job to the Naughty or Nice Group, a consulting firm that has cornered the market on determining a child's niceness thanks to an airtight formula.—
Emlyn Travis,
Entertainment Weekly,
24 Oct. 2025
-
But crucial treatments were delayed, and early-season assessments—which, ironically, make the effort more efficient by determining exactly where to treat—had to be reduced.—
Katie Thornton,
New Yorker,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Zelenitsky was not involved in the new research, but her team’s ongoing work in Alberta uncovering fossil eggshells linked to diverse dinosaur species aligns with the findings about stable dinosaur populations.—
Ashley Strickland,
CNN Money,
23 Oct. 2025
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Tracing how those flavors change is central to uncovering neutrinos’ role in the evolution of the cosmos.—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
23 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Nailing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nailing. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
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