Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
×

Thesaurus

needle

noun

Synonyms and Antonyms of needle

1 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 of needle

hypodermic, hypodermic needle, hypodermic syringe, syringe
2 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 of needle

hand, index, indicator, pointer
Words Related to needle

dial, face, gauge (also gage)

needle

verb

Synonyms and Antonyms of needle

1 to attack repeatedly with mean put-downs or insults
  • We couldn't resist needling him about his childhood nickname, "Bubbles."
Synonyms of needle

bait, hassle, haze, heckle, ride, taunt, tease
Words Related to needle

deride, gibe (or jibe), jeer, mock, ridicule

annoy, bother, bug, burn (up), chafe, fret, frost, gall, get, gnaw (at), grate, gripe, irk, irritate, nettle, peeve, pester, pique, put out, rasp, rile, ruffle, spite, trouble, vex

aggravate, exasperate, goad, test, try

aggrieve, agitate, bedevil, beleaguer, discomfort, disturb, perturb

badger, dog, hound

browbeat, bully, hector

harass, harry, persecute, plague, terrorize, torment, torture
Phrases Synonymous with needle

make game of, pick on
2 to subject (someone) to constant scoldings and sharp reminders
  • Quit needling me! I'll take out the trash in a minute!
Synonyms of needle

dog, henpeck, hound, nag, peck (at)
Words Related to needle

carp (at), fuss (about or over), nitpick

annoy, badger, bait, bother, bug, chivy (or chivvy), harass, harry, hassle, irk, pester, plague, ride, vex, yap (at)

egg, goad, incite, prod, prompt, spur, urge

exhort, insist, press, pressure, push

blandish, cajole, coax, wheedle

beg, importune, plead
Phrases Synonymous with needle

pick at
Near Antonyms of needle

compliment

commend, laud, praise, recommend, tout

acclaim, applaud, build up, eulogize, extol (also extoll)

Learn More about needle

  1. See words that rhyme with needle Dictionary: Definition of needle Medical Dictionary: Definition of needle Spanish Central: Translation of needle Nglish: Translation of needle for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of needle for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about needle

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up needle? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show hide

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games