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
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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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of needled
The Ukrainian leader also wore more formal attire, something that did not go unnoticed by pro-Trump reporter Brian Glenn, who in February needled Zelensky for his lack of a suit.
—
Brett Samuels, The Hill, 18 Aug. 2025
Trump at one point needled Zelenskyy over Ukraine delaying elections.
—Aamer Madhani, Fortune, 18 Aug. 2025
One ayatollah in particular, Ruhollah Khomeini, needled the Shah incessantly.
—Daniel Immerwahr, New Yorker, 4 Aug. 2025
Brett Samuels, The Hill, 18 Aug. 2025
Trump at one point needled Zelenskyy over Ukraine delaying elections.
—Aamer Madhani, Fortune, 18 Aug. 2025
One ayatollah in particular, Ruhollah Khomeini, needled the Shah incessantly.
—Daniel Immerwahr, New Yorker, 4 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for needled
Verb
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On another occasion, a group of students tripped him to the ground, put a cheese crown made of paper on his head, and then taunted him with actual cheese.—
Eyal Press,
New Yorker,
29 Oct. 2025
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While Dodgers pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto pitched a one-run complete game in a historic outing for Los Angeles at the Rogers Centre, all eyes were on superstar Shohei Ohtani after he was booed and taunted by the Toronto crowd in Game 1.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
26 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Fans are urged to wear white at Ford Field.—
Leah Olajide,
Freep.com,
9 Nov. 2025
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During that visit, then Belgian Prime Minister Alexander de Croo urged Francis in unusually frank terms to take concrete action.—
Christopher Lamb,
CNN Money,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The duo also teased what to expect from Season 2 of The Pitt.—
Nellie Andreeva,
Deadline,
6 Nov. 2025
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Earlier this week, Ballerini teased the forthcoming release by posting a video on her socials that showed Ballerini swinging on a swingset in a park.—
Jessica Nicholson,
Billboard,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Hansen Yang – hounded by over a dozen Chinese media members there to chronicle his every move – launched jumpers while Mandarin pop songs blared through the arena.—
Joseph Dycus,
Mercury News,
26 Oct. 2025
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The search for answers grew more desperate after Payne, wracked with grief and hounded by reporters, died by suicide near the very spot where Mary’s body had been found.—
Christina Coulter,
PEOPLE,
4 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Several protesters with megaphones frequently celebrated or mocked the assassination of Charlie Kirk, usually accompanying the taunts with profanity.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
7 Jan. 2026
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Tesla posted its second consecutive sales decline, losing its long‑held electric vehicle crown to a company the billionaire once mocked.—
Daniel Wine,
CNN Money,
5 Jan. 2026
Verb
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One friend fully dives in to the dissociative spirit of the event, while the other is more cautious, nagged by the feeling that something might not quite be right.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
6 Jan. 2026
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But that night, the interaction nagged at her.—
Ashley Vega,
PEOPLE,
8 Dec. 2025
Verb
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On Monday, McGarva begged California Natural Resources Agency Secretary Wade Crowfoot to step in.—
Sharon Bernstein,
Sacbee.com,
6 Jan. 2026
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During that time, students trapped inside called 911 and begged for help, investigators found.—
Dante Motley,
Austin American Statesman,
6 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The wealthy nation, heavily dependent on oil revenue, has been dogged by deficits over the past decade, with 80% of the state budget spent on subsidies and salaries.—
Kelsey Warner,
semafor.com,
7 Jan. 2026
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It was not only dogged by scandals like drug overdoses and deaths, but also complaints of overcrowding and poor crowd flow.—
Kim Velsey,
Curbed,
6 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Needled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/needled. Accessed 8 Jan. 2026.
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