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
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2
as in decides
to make final, definite, or beyond dispute
this latest infidelity nails it—I'm filing for divorce
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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
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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
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of nails
Woodley nails Diana’s mean-waif combustibility, and both Colindrez and Ferreira, playing outsiders unimpressed with their welcome to the Dahl house, do lovely work.
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Helen Shaw, The New Yorker, 13 Dec. 2024
In director Jamie Lloyd’s electric and minimalist Broadway update of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s 1990s musical based on a ‘50s movie, the former Pussycat Doll nails the comedy of a camp diva — inhabiting former ingenue Norma’s delusion and ego without ever losing sight of her sincerity.
—Ew Staff, EW.com, 11 Dec. 2024
Scherzinger also nails the comedy of a camp diva, inhabiting Norma’s delusion and ego without ever losing sight of her sincerity.
—Kathryn Vandervalk, EW.com, 21 Oct. 2024
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
Helen Shaw, The New Yorker, 13 Dec. 2024
In director Jamie Lloyd’s electric and minimalist Broadway update of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s 1990s musical based on a ‘50s movie, the former Pussycat Doll nails the comedy of a camp diva — inhabiting former ingenue Norma’s delusion and ego without ever losing sight of her sincerity.
—Ew Staff, EW.com, 11 Dec. 2024
Scherzinger also nails the comedy of a camp diva, inhabiting Norma’s delusion and ego without ever losing sight of her sincerity.
—Kathryn Vandervalk, EW.com, 21 Oct. 2024
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nails
Verb
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After sustaining an injury on New Year’s Eve, Max decides to change her life.Sally Tamarkin, Them, 23 Dec. 2024
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Gi-hun gives Sang-woo’s mother part of his winnings and decides to go home to see his daughter in the United States.Matt Minton, Variety, 23 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Fassbender’s calling card is his intensity, which exposes the raw humanity of his characters—or something terrifying within them that doesn’t feel human at all.Inkoo Kang, The New Yorker, 23 Dec. 2024
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The data breach exposes sensitive personal and medical information belonging to over 910,000 patients through ConnectOnCall, a telehealth platform and after-hours call service owned by Phreesia.Kurt Knutsson, CyberGuy Report, Fox News, 23 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Video grabs users' attention straight away, especially compared to static posts, and is a more effective way to tell your brand’s story and bring your product or service to life.Expert Panel®, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2024
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Your dream clients might be checking out your profile every day, but clicking away because nothing grabs them.Jodie Cook, Forbes, 13 Dec. 2024
Verb
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After the wipe hits, there will be a Twitch Drops campaign that should give out some solid loot to get your wipe off to a good start.Mike Stubbs, Forbes, 24 Dec. 2024
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Their elaborate plan soon hits all kinds of darkly hilarious snags that lead to more serious repercussions.Ars Technica, Ars Technica, 24 Dec. 2024
Verb
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The ballot language for the plan stated that the sales tax surcharge will be lifted once all debt for the plan has been paid and the Metro Council determines by resolution that the revenue from the tax surcharge is no longer needed for operation of the program.Evan Mealins, The Tennessean, 22 Dec. 2024
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This is also called ping, which determines how fast the server responds to your inputs.Kurt Knutsson, CyberGuy Report, Fox News, 21 Dec. 2024
Verb
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As Charlotte settles into his harness and works his back flippers, the team will gradually add more weights to counteract his bubble butt syndrome.Elizabeth Gamillo, Smithsonian Magazine, 24 Dec. 2024
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My Everything settles in similar positions on two other tallies across the pond.Hugh McIntyre, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2024
Verb
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In this deal, Houston lands Arenado to replace Bregman which would save them quite a bit of money.Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 17 Dec. 2024
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When Satan lands on Earth at the end of Book III, the phenomenon of light, which God created just days before, is new to him.Merve Emre, The New Yorker, 16 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Through those characters, the show captures the full range of the Fallout experience.Ars Technica, Ars Technica, 24 Dec. 2024
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In terms of scope and attention to detail, there’s no film or movie that captures midcentury-modern design quite like Mad Men.Rachel Davies, Architectural Digest, 24 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near nails
Cite this Entry
“Nails.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nails. Accessed 1 Jan. 2025.
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