NAILING Synonyms: 248 Similar and Opposite Words

nailing

verb

present participle of nail

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

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

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

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

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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of nailing Inside, Kaylee is eager to prove herself by really learning laundry and nailing it; Fraser advises her to come up with a system and stick to it. — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 13 Oct. 2026 Crews used laser levels and temporary adhesive to fix items to the walls, checking their work for accuracy against renderings of the actual office before nailing many adornments to the walls. — Arkansas Online, 5 Oct. 2026 Soon, though, Sutskever also catches the eye of Altman and his partner Elon Musk (an amusing Ike Barinholtz, nailing him). — Pete Hammond, Deadline, 5 Oct. 2026 The right accessories – aka, your nails – can transform your autumn wardrobes, so nailing (pun intended) the color, shape and art is everything. — Maggie Ryan, Flow Space, 18 Sep. 2026 In last week’s win over Fannin County, McGraw — who is also a standout girls soccer player — was 6-for-6 on extra points and was 1-for-1 on field goals, nailing a 27-yard attempt. — Caitlyn Stroh-Page, AJC.com, 11 Sep. 2026 Knowing how to apply lipstick is one of those essential beauty skills worth mastering, alongside nailing how to apply cream blush and perfecting your base. — Emma-Jade Stoddart, Glamour, 4 Sep. 2026 The San Diego native has started all 24 of UCLA’s games during his two seasons in Westwood, nailing 36 of his 44 field-goal attempts, including five out his nine attempts from at least 50 yards. — Connor Dullinger, Los Angeles Times, 24 Aug. 2026 But the point of the Neo is that it eschews frills and frippery in favor of nailing the basics. — ArsTechnica, 24 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for nailing

Verb

Opponents worry that the changes would mean less money getting invested in rural housing, precisely when housing affordability issues are hitting those areas the hardest.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 13 Oct. 2026
The look is solid, smart, elegant, hitting a summer sweet spot that means guests come back again and again.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of hitting

Verb

Cautionary collections Another consideration when deciding what to do with all the leaves falls under the category of health and safety.

— Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 18 Oct. 2026
Roth conversions impact tax benefits When deciding on a Roth conversion, projections should include the current year's taxes, along with an analysis of future years, financial advisors say.

— Kate Dore, CFP®, EA, CNBC, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of deciding

Verb

The cover lifts up and back, exposing the build platform, resin tank, and vertical motion system with generous access from the front and sides.

— Michael Lydick, PC Magazine, 14 Oct. 2026
Defensively, Jacksonville State presented FIU with its toughest test of the season, exposing vulnerabilities in a Panthers defense that entered the game ranked among the nation’s top 10.

— Alejandro Hernandez, Miami Herald, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of exposing

Verb

After arresting the men, deputies found two 1,200-gallon fuel tanks and pumping equipment inside their van.

— Matthew Rodriguez, CBS News, 15 Oct. 2026
Riot police have used tear gas and charged at protesters in numerous incidents, injuring hundreds and arresting thousands.

— Reuters, NBC news, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of arresting

Verb

Friday’s exhibition contest featured a 22-0 KU run in the first half, the Jayhawks responding to Pitt State grabbing an early 22-21 lead.

— Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 17 Oct. 2026
Keeping the shoes simple with a more eye-grabbing dress has been her outfit formula as of late.

— Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of grabbing

Verb

The other student strikes one more blow from behind, knocking Xavier to the ground.

— Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026
The murder prompted an extensive investigation, with police interviewing more than 1,300 people and knocking on hundreds of doors.

— Brittany Miller, FOXNews.com, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of knocking

Verb

The exact motive behind this particular campaign remains unclear because determining the next step would require engaging with the sender.

— Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 13 Oct. 2026
The discussion centered on how that tool might become part of a connected filmmaking process, with human direction and VFX expertise still determining how its images fit together.

— Lin Ying-Hsuan, Variety, 11 Oct. 2026

Definition of determining

Verb

The book covers an enormous chunk of British screen history (1896 to 2001), with each chapter uncovering and illuminating the careers of early Black screen pioneers.

— Zac Ntim, Deadline, 13 Oct. 2026
OpenAI solved the million-dollar problem by uncovering a flaw in the equations.

— Joseph Howlett, Scientific American, 13 Oct. 2026