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
Cu Fleshman, Travel + Leisure, 19 Apr. 2026
The simple design consists of an ergonomic handle with 14 stainless steel needles that not only hold vegetables in place, but also act as a guide for precise slicing.
—Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 17 Apr. 2026
Get the plumpness without the needles with this ultra-hydrating moisturizer that leaves skin supple and glowy for 24 hours, per the brand.
—Averi Baudler, PEOPLE, 15 Apr. 2026
If all the pieces of fuel that size and smaller — think grass, pine needles and twigs — are dry, a forest becomes much more fire-prone, says Stevens-Rumann, who likens wildfire likelihood to building a campfire.
—Christine Peterson, Outdoor Life, 15 Apr. 2026
This ancient Chinese practice, now widely used throughout the world, involves insertion of very thin needles into specific points on the skin to treat disease and alleviate pain.
—Dr. Patricia Richard, Hartford Courant, 14 Apr. 2026
Inspectors explained that embers can ignite the smallest fuels around a home, including pine needles, dead leaves, and dry grass.
—Spencer Wilson, CBS News, 13 Apr. 2026
Mayor Wu, who plans to file her warm-weather plan for Mass and Cass with the City Council next week, would not confirm that her administration’s shift in strategy is a move away from harm reduction, which critics say incentivizes drug use by handing out needles and other paraphernalia.
—Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald, 9 Apr. 2026
In just four years the team had developed a vaccine that Salk took home to administer to his wife and sons, boiling needles in their kitchen to sterilize them.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 Apr. 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
Growing up to hundreds of feet tall and dozens of feet across, with rich, golden-brown bark and dark green needles, there’s nothing quite as awe-inspiring as a California redwood.
—Cu Fleshman, Travel + Leisure, 19 Apr. 2026
The simple design consists of an ergonomic handle with 14 stainless steel needles that not only hold vegetables in place, but also act as a guide for precise slicing.
—Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 17 Apr. 2026
Get the plumpness without the needles with this ultra-hydrating moisturizer that leaves skin supple and glowy for 24 hours, per the brand.
—Averi Baudler, PEOPLE, 15 Apr. 2026
If all the pieces of fuel that size and smaller — think grass, pine needles and twigs — are dry, a forest becomes much more fire-prone, says Stevens-Rumann, who likens wildfire likelihood to building a campfire.
—Christine Peterson, Outdoor Life, 15 Apr. 2026
This ancient Chinese practice, now widely used throughout the world, involves insertion of very thin needles into specific points on the skin to treat disease and alleviate pain.
—Dr. Patricia Richard, Hartford Courant, 14 Apr. 2026
Inspectors explained that embers can ignite the smallest fuels around a home, including pine needles, dead leaves, and dry grass.
—Spencer Wilson, CBS News, 13 Apr. 2026
Mayor Wu, who plans to file her warm-weather plan for Mass and Cass with the City Council next week, would not confirm that her administration’s shift in strategy is a move away from harm reduction, which critics say incentivizes drug use by handing out needles and other paraphernalia.
—Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald, 9 Apr. 2026
In just four years the team had developed a vaccine that Salk took home to administer to his wife and sons, boiling needles in their kitchen to sterilize them.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 Apr. 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 geographic concentration of data centers means that indicators such as public or environmental health costs tend to vary widely by state.—
Tristan Bove,
Fortune,
21 Apr. 2026
-
Facilitates discussions around key indicators like inflation, the labor market, financial markets and global risks.—
Elisabeth Buchwald,
CNN Money,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
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This footage also teases a frightening moment when Pitt and his dog cross a river, and Pitt’s effort to keep his dog from falling leads himself to wind up in the water.—
Ryan Gajewski,
HollywoodReporter,
16 Apr. 2026
-
In the below interview, Neustadter teases upcoming shows like Elle, out July 1 on Prime Video, and Lucky coming to Apple TV July 10 from Reese Witherspoon’s production company.—
Dessi Gomez,
Deadline,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Dogs must be at least three months old, and dogs older than 12 months must be spayed or neutered.—
Patrick Connolly,
The Orlando Sentinel,
15 Apr. 2026
-
Inspired by UConn, other schools in the state, including Eastern Connecticut State University, Central Connecticut State University and the University of Saint Joseph, host dogs almost every week.—
Mikayla Bunnell,
Hartford Courant,
11 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
In Asia, South Korea and Japanese benchmark indexes hit record highs in early Thursday trading.—
Lim Hui Jie,
CNBC,
23 Apr. 2026
-
In stock markets abroad, indexes fell across much of Europe and Asia.—
Stan Choe,
Fortune,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
So much for Anthropic's Super Bowl taunts.—
Alexei Oreskovic,
Fortune,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Football has traditionally been a conduit for protests in Iran, with the national team refusing to sing the anthem on several occasions over recent decades, including during the 2009 Green Movement and after the death of Mahsa Amini at the hands of the morality police in 2022.—
Jacob Whitehead,
New York Times,
21 Apr. 2026
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The Norwegian had just scored the winning goal in his team’s 2-1 victory against title rival Arsenal, a result which puts the fate of the trophy in City’s hands with just five matches left to play.—
Ben Church,
CNN Money,
20 Apr. 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
-
Hugh Jackman rides a bike in New York City on April 18.—
Toria Sheffield,
PEOPLE,
21 Apr. 2026
-
Jason Bateman's character Clark Forrest rides his through the suburbs like a man who has made peace with being misunderstood, and the show has made the vehicle oddly compelling.—
Omar Kardoudi
April 20,
New Atlas,
20 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Needles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/needles. Accessed 25 Apr. 2026.
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