1
as in syringes
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
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1
as in teases
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
2
as in dogs
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 needles
Blake Nelson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Mar. 2026
For garden beds, experts recommend choosing organic mulches like bark, wood chips, pine needles, or compost.
—Nadia Hassani, The Spruce, 15 Mar. 2026
Abughazaleh hosts weekly knitting circles, and at a recent one, around a dozen people showed up with their needles and yarn, ready to talk politics.
—Elena Moore, NPR, 15 Mar. 2026
By applying music and visual arts practices, the arts can help introduce young patients to the use and purpose of needles in the treatment of type 1 diabetes.
—Elizabeth McClure, The Orlando Sentinel, 12 Mar. 2026
The needles were also renewed every three hours to maintain their sharpness and cleanliness.
—Christina Perrier, InStyle, 12 Mar. 2026
Long before Brent Headrick lit up radar guns with his left arm, the Yankees reliever sent speedometer needles flying with a step of his right foot.
—Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 11 Mar. 2026
During warm, wet weather, the needles closest to the inside of the tree turn tan or gray, then die, leaving the inside of the plant bare while the outside remains green.
—Steve Bender, Southern Living, 10 Mar. 2026
Some experimental designs include tiny mechanical systems that deploy microscopic needles.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 7 Mar. 2026
Emily McClanathan, Chicago Tribune, 11 Feb. 2026
Jake needles Harry about the past 50 years, but Harry can only offer scraps of history.
—Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 13 Jan. 2026
Noun
As the needles slid in, the puppy, its tail unmoving, climbed onto the bed and squeezed in next to Delgado.
—Blake Nelson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Mar. 2026
For garden beds, experts recommend choosing organic mulches like bark, wood chips, pine needles, or compost.
—Nadia Hassani, The Spruce, 15 Mar. 2026
Abughazaleh hosts weekly knitting circles, and at a recent one, around a dozen people showed up with their needles and yarn, ready to talk politics.
—Elena Moore, NPR, 15 Mar. 2026
By applying music and visual arts practices, the arts can help introduce young patients to the use and purpose of needles in the treatment of type 1 diabetes.
—Elizabeth McClure, The Orlando Sentinel, 12 Mar. 2026
The needles were also renewed every three hours to maintain their sharpness and cleanliness.
—Christina Perrier, InStyle, 12 Mar. 2026
Long before Brent Headrick lit up radar guns with his left arm, the Yankees reliever sent speedometer needles flying with a step of his right foot.
—Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 11 Mar. 2026
During warm, wet weather, the needles closest to the inside of the tree turn tan or gray, then die, leaving the inside of the plant bare while the outside remains green.
—Steve Bender, Southern Living, 10 Mar. 2026
Some experimental designs include tiny mechanical systems that deploy microscopic needles.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 7 Mar. 2026
Verb
As Thea’s former suitor, Tesman struggles to call her by her married name, a slip of the tongue that Hedda constantly needles him about.
—Emily McClanathan, Chicago Tribune, 11 Feb. 2026
Jake needles Harry about the past 50 years, but Harry can only offer scraps of history.
—Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 13 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for needles
Noun
-
The genetic risk factor Those major risk indicators are what ushered me into my own cancer prevention safari.—
Zachary Bernstein,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Mar. 2026
-
Various intersections will also receive new traffic signals and indicators for pedestrians to walk.—
Maya Wilkins,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The trailer teases a few of those moments, including one with Cyrus and her mom Tish Cyrus-Purcell sitting in Hannah Montana's iconic closet.—
Angeline Jane Bernabe,
ABC News,
17 Mar. 2026
-
The film, based on a true story that became a media sensation in the '80s, never renders a definitive judgment on von Bülow (who was acquitted in court), leaving him an indelible enigma that Irons teases but never tells.—
Devan Coggan,
Entertainment Weekly,
15 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Economists, analysts, and investors have spent the past few days sounding the alarm about stagflation, a uniquely nerve-racking scenario in which high inflation dogs a low-growth, stagnant economy.—
Andrea Riquier,
USA Today,
10 Mar. 2026
-
Cadaver dogs on hold as search for Nancy Guthrie enters fifth week with no answers.—
,
FOXNews.com,
9 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
In stock markets abroad, indexes fell in Europe following a stronger finish in Asia.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
19 Mar. 2026
-
European traders watched their screens through the cracks between their fingers as most indexes approached losses of 2% before lunch.—
Jim Edwards,
Fortune,
19 Mar. 2026
Verb
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So much for Anthropic's Super Bowl taunts.—
Alexei Oreskovic,
Fortune,
10 Feb. 2026
-
In a 30-second clip, Adams is seen leaving a jet bridge while a woman who is walking ahead of him seemingly taunts Adams.—
Marley Malenfant,
Austin American Statesman,
15 Jan. 2026
Noun
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In the meantime, apply a smear of lotion to your hands to protect your skin and prepare a bowl of ice-cold water.—
Shagun Khare,
Martha Stewart,
16 Mar. 2026
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The fabric covering her front continued behind her like two mini trains, which Olandria waved with her hands, creating an almost wing-like shape.—
Elizabeth Logan,
Glamour,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Setting traps and baits eradicates or, at least, discourages these pests from tunneling through your garden and nibbling roots to damage perennials and shrubs.—
Barbara Gillette,
The Spruce,
15 Jan. 2026
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This Christmas, Nelson’s surprising and fresh remake baits controversy in a couple new ways.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
11 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
This out-of-time Laotian city has ancient temples, colorful markets, and Mekong River boat rides, but is free of the frantic hustle of so many other regional urban centers.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
16 Mar. 2026
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William rides to the camp where Benjamin died in custody, and it is confirmed by the captain that there was an outbreak of jail fever.—
Lincee Ray,
Entertainment Weekly,
13 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Needles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/needles. Accessed 23 Mar. 2026.
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