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

The emergency stems from a sharp rise in high-risk methamphetamine use, with widespread needle sharing among drug users acting as a primary driver for the surging infection rates, the AP reported. — Jessica Mekles, FOXNews.com, 19 Sep. 2026

If lowering your deductible doesn't move the needle enough, consider dropping policy add-ons. — Liz Knueven, CNBC, 17 Sep. 2026

Verb

McDaniel needles the other side of the ball too, James said, warning defenders to be ready for a deep pass before hitting them with a quick out. — Los Angeles Times, 29 July 2026

Norris needled Lahti to work out more to beef up his core muscles. — Shi En Kim, AZCentral.com, 26 July 2026

Phrases Containing needle

• hypodermic needle