needles 1 of 2

plural of needle
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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2
as in indicators
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

needles

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of needle

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of needles
Noun
What is a freeze warning, frost advisory Frost is the formation of thin ice crystals on the ground or surfaces in the form of scales, needles, feathers, or fans, according to the weather service. Cheryl Vari, Cincinnati Enquirer, 23 Oct. 2025 This faux Dunhill Fir is designed to look and feel like a tree plucked straight off the lot, without the single-season lifespan or mess of shedding needles. Maggie Horton, PEOPLE, 22 Oct. 2025 Officers say the German shorthair mix appears healthy, aside from a few porcupine needles, and will be taken to a veterinarian for evaluation. Jalen Williams, Freep.com, 21 Oct. 2025 Thieves are threatening store employees and customers with lethal needles, the Herald reported. Boston Herald Editorial Staff, Boston Herald, 21 Oct. 2025 Its needles are also longer and flatter than other evergreen varieties, growing out on either side of each branch rather than all the way around it. Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 20 Oct. 2025 Özgür Kerem Bulur / Nikon Small WorldIridescent rutile (mineral) needles in a Burmese ruby. Matt Nighswander, NBC news, 17 Oct. 2025 The needles with gold had a higher occurrence of certain bacterial groups, including P3OB-42, Cutibacterium, and Corynebacterium, as confirmed by DNA sequencing. Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 10 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for needles
Noun
  • And while the government shutdown has put several key economic indicators on hold, the Labor Department released the consumer price index for September, which ticked higher but came in below forecasts.
    Preston Fore, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2025
  • That shift is fueling speculation that households could soon feel a broader pinch, as small, essential goods often begin reflecting economic strain before major indicators do.
    Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 24 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Kamala Harris teases 2028 presidential run, devastating Dems’ chances!
    The Hill, The Hill, 27 Oct. 2025
  • The new trailer for the doc teases its massive scope, tracing Murphy’s rise from a stand-up sensation and Saturday Night Live star to a performer capable of completely dominating the cultural landscape.
    Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 22 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Some dogs his size might have ended up getting into some pretty major trouble trying to climb up onto the swing seat, but not Hank.
    Jack Beresford, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Oct. 2025
  • Holtz and other South Florida hospitals have long used therapy dogs to provide patients with emotional support, either by hiring handlers to bring in the furry companions or by having their own in-house therapy dogs to make more frequent rounds.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 30 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Garraty is forced to slap himself across the face to stay awake as Barkovitch taunts him.
    Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 8 Sep. 2025
  • In the present day, Ellen watches as MacKinny taunts Colum in front of a crowd of onlookers and rushes to stand by his side.
    Lincee Ray Published, EW.com, 15 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Wall Street cheered the data, with major indexes climbing to record highs.
    Benzinga, Freep.com, 25 Oct. 2025
  • The stock market rose Friday, with all three major indexes hitting fresh intraday record highs.
    Natasha Abellard, CNBC, 24 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Nancy adds that her family didn't know that the community was dropping the rabies baits, and didn't receive any mailers about the drop.
    Kelli Bender, PEOPLE, 30 Sep. 2025
  • Trolling crank baits along points and flats 15 feet deep over deeper water should still work.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 16 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Whatever happens, Goelman urges parents not to let one challenging online incident define your teen or your parenting journey.
    ​Wendy Wisner, Parents, 22 Oct. 2025
  • The service urges folks to protect tender plants from the cold.
    Cheryl V. Jackson, IndyStar, 22 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • There’s no due process here, either; the three triumvirs don’t get their hands dirty, their decisions can’t be appealed, and there’s no public process by which those to be killed will be identified before the decision is final.
    JSTOR Daily, JSTOR Daily, 23 Oct. 2025
  • Delving into the tragic murder of Ajike Owens, a Black Florida woman, at the hands of her white neighbor Susan Lorincz, the new film from prolific documentarian Geeta Gandbhir examines issues of race, class, community, and surveillance.
    Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 22 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Needles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/needles. Accessed 28 Oct. 2025.

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