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
Relevance
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
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
Steve Buckley, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2026
But Wagler’s mother, Jennifer, said Keaton didn’t like pills or needles, Birch recalled.
—Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 3 Apr. 2026
During aging, the cheese's flavor deepens, and regular piercing—a technique where metal rods or needles are inserted into the cheese—helps air circulate through the cheese, promoting mold growth.
—Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 31 Mar. 2026
Most are injectable, typically coming in pen-like syringes with short needles designed to target the subcutaneous region, or the deep fatty layer of your skin, for best absorption.
—Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 25 Mar. 2026
Delicate little needles in the windows that flickered up and then sifted back down.
—Caleb Crain, Harpers Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026
Villa told the San Francisco Chronicle that the woman had cracked lips, cut feet, and pine needles in her hair.
—Madison Dapcevich, Outside, 23 Mar. 2026
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
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
And Cora is so good at threading needles on these issues, as in communicating his wishes without insulting this or that player.
—Steve Buckley, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2026
But Wagler’s mother, Jennifer, said Keaton didn’t like pills or needles, Birch recalled.
—Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 3 Apr. 2026
During aging, the cheese's flavor deepens, and regular piercing—a technique where metal rods or needles are inserted into the cheese—helps air circulate through the cheese, promoting mold growth.
—Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 31 Mar. 2026
Most are injectable, typically coming in pen-like syringes with short needles designed to target the subcutaneous region, or the deep fatty layer of your skin, for best absorption.
—Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 25 Mar. 2026
Delicate little needles in the windows that flickered up and then sifted back down.
—Caleb Crain, Harpers Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026
Villa told the San Francisco Chronicle that the woman had cracked lips, cut feet, and pine needles in her hair.
—Madison Dapcevich, Outside, 23 Mar. 2026
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
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 streamlined movement also incorporates a one-minute flying tourbillon and dual power reserve indicators—one of which tracks the energy available for the music box.—
Rachel Cormack,
Robb Report,
8 Apr. 2026
-
Federal and state data show 742 of them — about 42% — have multiple indicators of fraud, as defined by the state of California.—
Grace Manthey,
CBS News,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The first clip, which THR can reveal here, teases the emotion, the intimacy, and the love triangle that audiences can expect from the series.—
Georg Szalai,
HollywoodReporter,
8 Apr. 2026
-
The clip also teases some plot points of the sequel film to the original 2006 film starring Meryl Streep and Anne Hathaway.—
Dessi Gomez,
Deadline,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Dehydration dogs their journey, and local ranchers have found their homes burglarized by travelers in search of sustenance.—
Shi En Kim,
AZCentral.com,
26 Mar. 2026
-
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
Noun
-
Those gains pushed the indexes back above their 200-day moving averages, key technical levels watched by traders.—
Davis Giangiulio,
CNBC,
8 Apr. 2026
-
European stock indexes rose nearly as much.—
Stan Choe,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
The durable and velvety soft tanning mitt is designed to keep self tanner off your palms and hands.—
Tory Johnson,
ABC News,
7 Apr. 2026
-
But replays showed the ball was still in his hands as time expired.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
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
Verb
-
The band rides for Arto Lindsay and gamelan records but also Gentle Giant’s hyper-intricate prog, and John Scofield’s Bonnaroo-funk outing Überjam.—
Christopher R. Weingarten,
Pitchfork,
3 Apr. 2026
-
A lot then rides on the international haul, which right now is a little less than half of its overall total.—
Brian Welk,
IndieWire,
30 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Needles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/needles. Accessed 13 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
