1
as in teasing
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 nagging
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 needling
Rebecca Strong, USA Today, 3 Apr. 2026
Then, again, the needling cold.
—Roey Leonardi, The Atlantic, 22 Feb. 2026
Glaser was at her best when needling awards-show tropes.
—Hershal Pandya, Vulture, 13 Jan. 2026
He’s repeated that sentiment in countless interviews over the years, but hearing him say it in front of his gently needling bandmates gives it a different kind of resonance.
—Jordan Runtagh, PEOPLE, 27 Nov. 2025
Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 12 Mar. 2026
The woman needling the Cubs, hands at her head, was the daughter of the Braves coach.
—Christopher Borrelli, Chicago Tribune, 10 Feb. 2026
Adjective
In cases of significant thinning, Small recommends procedures like platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy or micro-needling.
—Rebecca Strong, USA Today, 3 Apr. 2026
Then, again, the needling cold.
—Roey Leonardi, The Atlantic, 22 Feb. 2026
Glaser was at her best when needling awards-show tropes.
—Hershal Pandya, Vulture, 13 Jan. 2026
He’s repeated that sentiment in countless interviews over the years, but hearing him say it in front of his gently needling bandmates gives it a different kind of resonance.
—Jordan Runtagh, PEOPLE, 27 Nov. 2025
Verb
Russia is needling Ukraine’s European allies with asymmetrical warfare – sabotage and cyberattacks – to perhaps provoke a wider conflict while imposing costs.
—Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 12 Mar. 2026
The woman needling the Cubs, hands at her head, was the daughter of the Braves coach.
—Christopher Borrelli, Chicago Tribune, 10 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for needling
Adjective
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To get a sense of his whole deal, look no further than the half-mocking, half-earnest title of his latest album, Country!—
Jonathan Bernstein,
Rolling Stone,
23 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Since then, Swalwell’s support among organized labor, congressional allies and campaign donors has evaporated in the week since liberal influencers began posting vague accusations that Swalwell abused female staff and teasing forthcoming investigative articles.—
Lia Russell,
Sacbee.com,
13 Apr. 2026
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Lena Dunham‘s memoir Famesick is out on Tuesday, and the writer-actress has been teasing some of the bombshell revelations in various interviews.—
Lily Ford,
HollywoodReporter,
13 Apr. 2026
Verb
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So don't push through that nagging feeling.—
Tiffany Aliche,
SELF,
30 Mar. 2026
-
McCown faced nagging trouble with his shoulder, leg and groin through the 2025 season.—
Greg Luca,
San Antonio Express-News,
22 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The hawks are practically taunting the populists for their lack of influence.—
Jonathan Chait,
The Atlantic,
25 Mar. 2026
-
Doncic and the Lakers appealed the call after he was given a technical for taunting against Orlando Magic forward Goga Bitadze in Saturday’s Lakers win.—
Assistant Sports Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Destiny calls loudly as passionate Mars charges into your 9th House of Distance, urging you to attempt things that are literally or metaphorically far from your comfort zone.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
9 Apr. 2026
-
The leaders of France, Spain and Finland and top European Union leaders all issued statements welcoming the two-week pause in fighting but urging swift negotiations to bring the war to a permanent end.—
Will Clark,
NBC news,
8 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Reuters reported that BlackRock CEO Larry Fink, who hosted the dinner of some 200 people as co-chair of the World Economic Forum, ended the dinner after the heckling incident — before dessert was served.—
Ashleigh Fields,
The Hill,
22 Jan. 2026
-
Vice President Vance appeared on FOX News Channel’s The Ingraham Angle hours after the heckling incident, telling the host about visiting with the national guardsmen and discussing recent changes to the city, while briefly mentioning the protesters.—
Jillian Frankel,
People.com,
21 Aug. 2025
Verb
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San Diego is where Pitino’s basketball ghosts, after hounding him for decades, were sent far away, perhaps for good.—
Tom Krasovic,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
23 Mar. 2026
-
Meanwhile, the individuals in question continue hounding her for autographs and photos.—
Hannah Dailey,
Billboard,
10 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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But this time, American allies have balked at Trump’s request to send warships to help transport oil through the strait, suggesting there is a limit to how far Europe will go to keep Trump onside in Ukraine and demonstrating the upshot of Trump’s derisive attitude toward alliances.—
Christian Edwards,
CNN Money,
16 Mar. 2026
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The market learned a lesson embodied in the derisive acronym TACO: Trump Always Chickens Out.—
Matt Peterson,
CNBC,
13 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Needling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/needling. Accessed 15 Apr. 2026.
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