Synonyms of needle

needle 1 of 2

noun

ˈnē-dᵊl 

1

as in syringe

a slender hollow instrument by which material is put into or taken from the body through the skin

the nurse inserted the needle into his vein and collected some blood for testing

Synonyms & Similar Words

• syringe
• hypodermic needle
• hypodermic
• hypodermic syringe
• hype

2

as in indicator

an arrow-shaped piece on a dial or scale for registering information

simply by reading the compass needle you should be able to figure out in which direction we're heading

Synonyms & Similar Words

• indicator
• index
• gauge
• hand
• pointer
• dial
• face

needle

2 of 2

verb

1

as in to tease

to attack repeatedly with mean put-downs or insults

we needled him mercilessly for thinking that he had any chance of being the prom date for the school's most popular girl

Synonyms & Similar Words

• tease
• taunt
• bait
• mock
• ride
• bother
• haze
• pick on
• torture
• ridicule
• annoy
• plague
• hassle
• make game of
• heckle
• irritate
• test
• ruffle
• spite
• trouble
• nettle
• try
• grate
• badger
• itch
• burn (up)
• bug
• put out
• discomfort
• dog
• goad
• gnaw (at)
• frost
• gripe
• rasp
• bully
• vex
• hack (off)
• gall
• gibe
• deride
• rile
• disturb
• aggravate
• fret
• nag
• peeve
• pique
• irk
• agitate
• get
• torment
• pester
• chafe
• jeer
• hound
• perturb
• persecute
• nark
• exasperate
• hagride
• bedevil
• aggrieve
• harass
• beleaguer
• browbeat
• harry
• terrorize
• hector

2

as in to dog

to subject (someone) to constant scoldings and sharp reminders

quit needling me! I'll take out the trash in a minute!

Synonyms & Similar Words

• dog
• peck (at)
• urge
• pick at
• beg
• hound
• nag
• push
• bother
• badger
• egg
• carp (at)
• bait
• henpeck
• pressure
• annoy
• spur
• prod
• bug
• plague
• ride
• goad
• fuss (about or over)
• prompt
• harass
• vex
• coax
• harry
• irk
• incite
• pester
• insist
• chivy
• yap (at)
• wheedle
• hassle
• nitpick
• cajole
• plead
• press
• exhort
• importune
• blandish

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• compliment
• recommend
• commend
• praise
• build up
• tout
• laud
• applaud
• extol
• acclaim
• eulogize

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of needle

Noun

Starting point for hikes into Larch Valley and Sentinel Pass are some of Banff National Park’s best (ablaze in autumn when larch needles are golden). — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Aug. 2026

Nearly a century of technological progress, from electrification to the PC to the internet to the cloud, moved the needle by four hours. — Dan Schawbel, Fortune, 21 Aug. 2026

Verb

Paint to paper, needle to thread—like couture, fashion illustration is a discipline of the hand. — Laird Borrelli-Persson, Vogue, 13 July 2026

Lestat wants Molloy to tell his side of the story, but Lestat also can’t bear to open up, spending more time needling Molloy than actually engaging with his questions. — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 23 June 2026

Phrases Containing needle

• hypodermic needle