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
Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Jan. 2026
Drug addicts with needles frequently openly camp in front of the hospital, and in early December a security guard suffered serious injuries in a stabbing on the BMC campus.
—Joe Battenfeld, Boston Herald, 8 Jan. 2026
In fact, although Christmas trees are evergreens, their needles, too, are considered brown.
—David Beaulieu, The Spruce, 8 Jan. 2026
For the separator, small pieces of PET were flattened and carefully perforated with hot needles.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 7 Jan. 2026
Accelerating the commercialization of next-gen batteries In traditional batteries, electrolyte solvents break down to produce soft, fragile organic SEI layers, leading to uneven lithium plating and the formation of sharp, dendritic structures that resemble needles.
—Chris Young, Interesting Engineering, 6 Jan. 2026
The treatment offers more flexibility and an alternative for those who dislike needles used in injectable medication.
—Reuters, NBC news, 5 Jan. 2026
The pill offers more flexibility and an alternative for those who dislike needles used in injectable medications.
—Ed Silverman, STAT, 5 Jan. 2026
Pills appeal to those who may be afraid to take needles.
—Jeff Marks, CNBC, 5 Jan. 2026
Noun
Go Easy on Evergreens In areas with severe winters, cold winds and sunshine pull moisture out of the needles of evergreens.
—Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Jan. 2026
Drug addicts with needles frequently openly camp in front of the hospital, and in early December a security guard suffered serious injuries in a stabbing on the BMC campus.
—Joe Battenfeld, Boston Herald, 8 Jan. 2026
In fact, although Christmas trees are evergreens, their needles, too, are considered brown.
—David Beaulieu, The Spruce, 8 Jan. 2026
For the separator, small pieces of PET were flattened and carefully perforated with hot needles.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 7 Jan. 2026
Accelerating the commercialization of next-gen batteries In traditional batteries, electrolyte solvents break down to produce soft, fragile organic SEI layers, leading to uneven lithium plating and the formation of sharp, dendritic structures that resemble needles.
—Chris Young, Interesting Engineering, 6 Jan. 2026
The treatment offers more flexibility and an alternative for those who dislike needles used in injectable medication.
—Reuters, NBC news, 5 Jan. 2026
The pill offers more flexibility and an alternative for those who dislike needles used in injectable medications.
—Ed Silverman, STAT, 5 Jan. 2026
Pills appeal to those who may be afraid to take needles.
—Jeff Marks, CNBC, 5 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for needles
Noun
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The Department of Small Business Services has an 18% vacancy rate, resulting in fewer than half of the agency’s critical indicators being on track for success.—
Tom Grech,
New York Daily News,
10 Jan. 2026
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This week, some of those indicators have fallen, but the CDC says that does not necessarily mean the season has reached its peak.—
Deidre McPhillips,
CNN Money,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The trailer for the film, released this morning, teases an emotional Matt and Ross Duffer wrapping up the Netflix tentpole show that took 10 years to make.—
Dessi Gomez,
Deadline,
5 Jan. 2026
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The trailer teases a sharp, self-aware story about ambition, reinvention, and the business of superhero mythmaking.—
Okla Jones,
Essence,
5 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Therapy dogs with the nonprofit also help children learn to read and assist in clinical therapy settings.—
Kelli Bender,
PEOPLE,
31 Oct. 2025
-
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
Noun
-
Exchange funds generally hold 80% of their assets in stocks and aim to mirror benchmark indexes like the S&P 500 or Russell 3000.—
Hayley Cuccinello,
CNBC,
9 Jan. 2026
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Since then, its stock has outpaced major indices, rising 57% last year to lift the group’s market value to €42 billion.—
Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson,
semafor.com,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The two come face-to-face at the end of the episode, during which Callahan taunts Kyle over his wife's murder.—
Allison DeGrushe,
Entertainment Weekly,
29 Dec. 2025
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Instead, Pennywise taunts Ingrid before showing her the deadlights and leaving her (mostly) catatonic.—
Louis Peitzman,
Vulture,
8 Dec. 2025
Noun
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Ross, who was one of several federal agents involved in the arrest, initially drew his service weapon, but holstered the gun after Muñoz-Guatemala stopped his car and raised his hands, according to the affidavit.—
Allison Gordon,
CNN Money,
9 Jan. 2026
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The deadly shooting of a 37-year-old woman by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer in a residential neighborhood in south Minneapolis has brought back painful memories of another high-profile incident in which a civilian died at the hands of a law enforcement officer.—
Jonah Kaplan,
CBS News,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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This Christmas, Nelson’s surprising and fresh remake baits controversy in a couple new ways.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
11 Dec. 2025
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Steve, Robin, Nancy, Eddie and Dustin head to the Upside Down, while Max, in the real world, baits Vecna by going to the Creel house with Lucas.—
Brendan Morrow,
USA Today,
19 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Meanwhile, Liam Coen continues to validate his reputation as one of football’s top offensive minds, getting the most out of Trevor Lawrence as Jacksonville rides its longest winning streak since 1999.—
Dianna Russini,
New York Times,
3 Jan. 2026
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Around town, on the highway, and deep into the canyons, the Roadster rides great.—
Robb Report Contributors,
Robb Report,
26 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Needles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/needles. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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