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
Minyvonne Burke, NBC news, 12 May 2026
Particularly fire-prone plants include eucalyptus, acacia, evergreens with fine needles, pampas grass and palms.
—The San Diego Union Tribune, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 May 2026
The deadly fires that devastated homes in Pacific Palisades and Altadena also laid waste to a lush canopy of leaves and pine needles that had cooled and shaded residents here for generations.
—Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2026
Aside from free needles, Alle is also a critic of naloxone distribution.
—Julie Sharp, CBS News, 7 May 2026
Long needles of ice may set off bolts in one cloud while a deluge of electrons producing gamma rays does it in another cloud.
—Quanta Magazine, 6 May 2026
Sharp objects like scissors and needles or amulets should be carried by pregnant women or placed near sleeping children to ward off her attacks.
—Literary Hub, 5 May 2026
LeafFilter’s gutter guards are also not ideal for areas with particularly heavy debris buildup, as some customer reviews cite issues with pine needles and other particulates gathering on top of the mesh filter.
—Faith Wakefield, USA Today, 4 May 2026
The Tree Swallows arrived in March and are now building their nests with grasses and pine needles from the surrounding fields.
—Kate Wong, Scientific American, 1 May 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
The suit notes that wood, dirt and pine needles generally do not show up on X-rays.
—Minyvonne Burke, NBC news, 12 May 2026
Particularly fire-prone plants include eucalyptus, acacia, evergreens with fine needles, pampas grass and palms.
—The San Diego Union Tribune, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 May 2026
The deadly fires that devastated homes in Pacific Palisades and Altadena also laid waste to a lush canopy of leaves and pine needles that had cooled and shaded residents here for generations.
—Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2026
Aside from free needles, Alle is also a critic of naloxone distribution.
—Julie Sharp, CBS News, 7 May 2026
Long needles of ice may set off bolts in one cloud while a deluge of electrons producing gamma rays does it in another cloud.
—Quanta Magazine, 6 May 2026
Sharp objects like scissors and needles or amulets should be carried by pregnant women or placed near sleeping children to ward off her attacks.
—Literary Hub, 5 May 2026
LeafFilter’s gutter guards are also not ideal for areas with particularly heavy debris buildup, as some customer reviews cite issues with pine needles and other particulates gathering on top of the mesh filter.
—Faith Wakefield, USA Today, 4 May 2026
The Tree Swallows arrived in March and are now building their nests with grasses and pine needles from the surrounding fields.
—Kate Wong, Scientific American, 1 May 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
-
Analysts looked at 41 indicators, including the cost of flights, number of attracts, and average price of a meal for two people.—
Dan Raby,
CBS News,
13 May 2026
-
That in itself has a clear effect, even if other indicators don’t shift right away.—
Greg Toppo,
Los Angeles Times,
12 May 2026
Verb
-
The sneak peek teases friendly competition between the couple and fellow captain Maneet Chauhan, whose team won season 6 of the barbecue showdown.—
Erin Clements,
PEOPLE,
4 May 2026
-
Based on the bestseller from author Colleen Hoover, Johnson stars in the film adaptation that teases lingering secrets and a dark sinister mystery awaiting to be solved.—
Lexy Perez,
HollywoodReporter,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Cadaver dogs that previously searched the family's home did indicate dirt in the family's backyard had the scent of human remains.—
Matthew Ablon,
CBS News,
12 May 2026
-
Naomi’s acoustic guitar kept feeding back, causing our stage to spew out the kinds of screeching frequencies that dogs famously hate.—
Katie Gavin,
Time,
8 May 2026
Noun
-
Stock indexes in Taiwan, South Korea and Japan have clinched fresh records in recent trading sessions, bouncing back after tumbling in March.—
John Towfighi,
CNN Money,
7 May 2026
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In stock markets abroad, indexes fell in Europe following a stronger finish in Asia.—
Stan Choe,
Los Angeles Times,
7 May 2026
Verb
-
Newsom taunts Trump with multiple jabs as Florida redistricting fight ramps up.—
,
FOXNews.com,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Owen is a serial killer who, much like Zodiac, taunts the police with phone calls threatening the murder of innocent citizens.—
Rosy Cordero,
Deadline,
14 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The review followed a 2022 report that highlighted the excavation of a Lenape burial site whose ownership was later returned to Native American hands, the outlet reported.—
Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
12 May 2026
-
Another adjustment on set was with his daughter played by Toscano tending to follow his hands as Insolera communicated using sign language, rather than look into his eyes.—
Etan Vlessing,
HollywoodReporter,
11 May 2026
Verb
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Officials will continue to investigate the area for further evidence of poison bait, and also stressed the importance of the community's cooperation to discourage and prevent the use of poison baits against wildlife.—
Moná Thomas,
PEOPLE,
20 Apr. 2026
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Whereas fast fashion baits consumers with poorly made clothing available for a limited time, Jendue takes a more elevated approach with high quality denim from Turkey.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The hotel’s diving club provides equipment for snorkeling and non-motorized water sports like kayaking and pedal boat rides.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
12 May 2026
-
Videos of some of the group rides through the city show, at times, hundreds of e-bike riders rolling through city streets.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
12 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Needles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/needles. Accessed 14 May. 2026.
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