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

Operators protect prime hours for revenue-producing activity and optimize around needle-moving activities. — Ramon Cadiz, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2026

The device allows the sound waves to penetrate the skull without so much as a needle poke or incision and without causing any damage to surrounding bone or tissue in the process. — Kristen Jordan Shamus, Freep.com, 10 Sep. 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