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
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
Some of these trees, however, were scarred only on one side, and the needles on their upper branches were still green.
—New York Times, 16 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
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
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
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
Some of these trees, however, were scarred only on one side, and the needles on their upper branches were still green.
—New York Times, 16 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
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
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
-
Research published in PubMed Central shows women in perimenopause already display early indicators of hypertension, oxidative stress and endothelial dysfunction before most realize the transition has even started.—
Allison Palmer,
Kansas City Star,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Research published in PubMed Central shows women in perimenopause already display early indicators of hypertension, oxidative stress and endothelial dysfunction.—
Allison Palmer,
Sacbee.com,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Gillespie teases another scene in the film involving Corenswet's character and the arrival of Supergirl on Earth.—
Nick Romano,
Entertainment Weekly,
31 Mar. 2026
-
The trailer then shows Hagrid explaining the Wizarding World to Harry and teases some information about his deceased parents.—
Jordan Moreau,
Variety,
25 Mar. 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
-
In Europe, major indexes were overwhelmingly in the red, and leading US indexes traded lower.—
Hanna Ziady,
CNN Money,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Stocks were volatile, with major indexes plunging early in the day before moving higher at the close on shifting headlines about the war in the Middle East.—
Steve Kopack,
NBC news,
2 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
-
In the clip, shared by @whit_fashionfinds, footage from inside her living room shows her teen on hands and knees pushing clutter across the floor and underneath the couch.—
Daniella Gray,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Consider setting aside grandiose ambitions for the moment and taking a break to do something active with your hands.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
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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
-
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
-
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
-
An airport offers, if not exactly an equitable experience (there are Clear lines, lounge archipelagos), then at least a perceptible simulacrum of equality, in that everyone rides the same people movers past the same Cinnabons.—
Benjamin Wallace-Wells,
New Yorker,
29 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Needles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/needles. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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