Synonyms of needles

needles 1 of 2

noun

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

• syringes
• hypodermics
• hypodermic needles
• hypes
• hypodermic syringes

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

• indicators
• indexes
• hands
• gauges
• pointers
• dials
• faces

needles

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of needle

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

• teases
• taunts
• baits
• rides
• mocks
• bothers
• hazes
• tortures
• hassles
• annoys
• picks on
• plagues
• nettles
• ridicules
• heckles
• irritates
• troubles
• ruffles
• tests
• makes game of
• itches
• bullies
• grates
• gibes
• spites
• galls
• frets
• rasps
• gripes
• tries
• dogs
• bugs
• goads
• frosts
• badgers
• burns (up)
• narks
• peeves
• jeers
• riles
• torments
• beleaguers
• chafes
• vexes
• pesters
• aggravates
• discomforts
• disturbs
• gnaws (at)
• nags
• derides
• gets
• exasperates
• aggrieves
• piques
• irks
• hacks (off)
• puts out
• hounds
• hagrides
• agitates
• persecutes
• bedevils
• harasses
• hectors
• perturbs
• harries
• browbeats
• terrorizes

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

• dogs
• pecks (at)
• picks at
• urges
• henpecks
• hounds
• begs
• nags
• bothers
• eggs
• badgers
• spurs
• baits
• pressures
• prods
• pushes
• annoys
• plagues
• bugs
• goads
• rides
• prompts
• carps (at)
• harries
• fusses (about or over)
• pesters
• vexes
• harasses
• hassles
• insists
• chivies
• wheedles
• irks
• presses
• coaxes
• incites
• cajoles
• yaps (at)
• nitpicks
• importunes
• pleads
• exhorts
• blandishes

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• compliments
• recommends
• praises
• commends
• builds up
• lauds
• applauds
• extols
• touts
• acclaims
• eulogizes

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of needles

Noun

Fallen leaves, tree needles, bark, storing firewood and other combustible materials all must be removed from this area, according to a summary of the draft regulation. — Paris Barraza, USA Today, 17 Aug. 2026

Parents who once lobbied for safe play spaces now gather in a nearby park as their children clamber over obstacles, the ground refreshingly clear of litter or needles. — Kyle Vanelli, STAT, 14 Aug. 2026

They were discontinued because the ACIP and the American Academy of Pediatrics held that separate shots would mean more needles, more appointments and children left unprotected for longer. — Jake Scott, The Conversation, 12 Aug. 2026

At the heart of CipherX's technology is a small patch filled with hundreds of microscopic biodegradable needles, each preloaded with pigment. — Maryna Holovnova, New Atlas, 6 Aug. 2026

Addicts could bring their heroin and cocaine to a 13-seat center where staff dispensed needles, swabs, and sterile water to cook the drugs and offered advice on vein maintenance. — Michael Powell, The Atlantic, 30 July 2026

Inside, sunlight spills onto the tables where embroiderers sit, their needles dancing in near silence across stretches of fabric. — The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 30 July 2026

Doctors call this paresthesia, a catch-all term for the pins-and-needles feeling that arises when normal nerve signaling gets disrupted. — Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026

Unlike traditional microneedling, which uses metal needles inserted and withdrawn, spicules embed superficially and shed with normal skin turnover over a few days. — Hanna Wickes, Sacbee.com, 27 July 2026

Verb

McDaniel needles the other side of the ball too, James said, warning defenders to be ready for a deep pass before hitting them with a quick out. — Los Angeles Times, 29 July 2026

The Velvet Gang needles the outraged Christie ever so. — Randy Myers, Mercury News, 19 May 2026

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

Phrases Containing needles

• on pins and needles