Synonyms of needled

needled

verb

past tense of needle

1

as in taunted

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

• taunted
• teased
• mocked
• baited
• ridiculed
• bothered
• heckled
• rode
• hassled
• tortured
• hazed
• annoyed
• rid
• irritated
• plagued
• picked on
• derided
• nettled
• made game of
• jeered
• gibed
• badgered
• pestered
• bullied
• goaded
• griped
• riled
• tried
• troubled
• jibed
• tested
• galled
• irked
• aggravated
• ruffled
• nagged
• vexed
• chafed
• exasperated
• fretted
• frosted
• itched
• tormented
• hounded
• harassed
• disturbed
• grated
• hectored
• agitated
• bedeviled
• peeved
• perturbed
• burned (up)
• bugged
• beleaguered
• dogged
• rasped
• burnt (up)
• discomforted
• piqued
• persecuted
• aggrieved
• put out
• got
• gnawed (at)
• spited
• narked
• hacked (off)
• browbeat
• terrorized
• harried
• vext
• hagrode

2

as in urged

to subject (someone) to constant scoldings and sharp reminders

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• urged
• hounded
• nagged
• begged
• dogged
• pecked (at)
• bothered
• picked at
• badgered
• annoyed
• pushed
• henpecked
• harassed
• prodded
• pestered
• insisted
• irked
• goaded
• prompted
• baited
• spurred
• vexed
• plagued
• egged
• pressured
• coaxed
• rid
• cajoled
• exhorted
• pleaded
• harried
• chivvied
• hassled
• incited
• wheedled
• rode
• bugged
• pled
• fussed (about or over)
• nitpicked
• pressed
• plead
• importuned
• carped (at)
• vext
• yapped (at)
• chivied
• blandished

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• complimented
• recommended
• praised
• commended
• lauded
• touted
• applauded
• extolled
• built up
• acclaimed
• eulogized