Synonyms of nail

nail

verb

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

• hit
• knock
• slap
• smack
• punch
• bang
• slam
• strike
• clip
• whack
• clap
• bat
• pound
• swipe
• crack
• hammer
• box
• kick
• clock
• tap
• lick
• bash
• tag
• thump
• poke
• bob
• bludgeon
• push
• sock
• jab
• belt
• slug
• swat
• bop
• shove
• smite
• chop
• paste
• flick
• zap
• clobber
• rap
• stab
• clout
• bonk
• thwack
• whale
• bump
• stroke
• bust
• wallop
• biff
• slog
• rough
• maul
• beat
• stamp
• hang one on
• lash
• knee
• pummel
• pepper
• cuff
• batter
• mangle
• buffet
• bung
• butt
• pelt
• slash
• scuff
• pommel
• cream
• lace
• drub
• lambast
• bunt
• spear
• fell
• floor
• deck
• whip
• lambaste
• cane
• skull
• prod
• brain
• dump
• bean
• sledge
• jostle
• club
• cudgel
• sap
• conk
• switch
• sledgehammer
• level
• knock down
• flail
• bowl (down or over)
• thrash
• flog
• sucker punch
• rabbit-punch

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

• decide
• determine
• settle
• clinch
• clarify
• prove
• define
• establish
• ensure
• show
• nail (down)
• insure
• assure
• secure
• state
• demonstrate
• end
• finish
• specify
• affirm
• illuminate
• clear (up)
• conclude
• stipulate

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• confuse
• muddy
• muddle
• unsettle

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

• expose
• uncover
• show up
• debunk
• unmask
• demolish
• disclose
• discredit
• undress
• tell
• blow the whistle on
• disprove
• uncloak
• divulge
• unveil

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• mask
• disguise
• hide
• veil
• conceal
• camouflage
• cloak
• secrete

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

• arrest
• seize
• grab
• apprehend
• restrain
• run in
• nick
• capture
• pinch
• detain
• pull in
• snatch
• jail
• commit
• bust
• trap
• nab
• pick up
• catch
• collar
• hook
• snare
• grapple
• confine
• imprison
• incarcerate
• land
• snap (up)
• bag
• bind
• get
• hold
• lock (up)
• handcuff
• shackle
• intern
• jug
• fetter
• immure
• manacle
• remand
• trammel
• enchain
• rearrest

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• discharge
• release
• loosen
• loose
• spring
• liberate
• free
• emancipate
• unchain
• unbind

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

• grab
• catch
• snatch
• seize
• capture
• get
• trap
• land
• hook
• snag
• snare
• grapple
• nab
• rap
• net
• corral
• collar
• bag
• take hold (of)
• snap (up)
• cop
• nobble
• rope
• clutch
• glove
• grasp
• glom
• hold
• fist
• grip
• arrest
• corner
• apprehend
• lasso
• bay
• secure
• clasp
• kidnap
• detain
• latch (on or onto)
• rend
• halter
• fasten (on)
• mesh
• abduct
• wrest
• entrap
• ensnare
• entangle
• spirit (away or off)
• enmesh
• immesh

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• miss
• release
• discharge
• drop
• liberate
• free
• loosen
• unhand

Examples of nail in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

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

Phrases Containing nail

• tooth and nail