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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of needling
Roey Leonardi, The Atlantic, 22 Feb. 2026
In cases of significant thinning, Small recommends procedures like platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy or micro-needling.
—Rebecca Strong, USA Today, 10 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
Christopher Borrelli, Chicago Tribune, 10 Feb. 2026
Adjective
Then, again, the needling cold.
—Roey Leonardi, The Atlantic, 22 Feb. 2026
In cases of significant thinning, Small recommends procedures like platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy or micro-needling.
—Rebecca Strong, USA Today, 10 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
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
-
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
-
Pre-seeding While EMV levels may cool off quickly in the months following a launch, brands are increasingly drumming up pre-launch interest by teasing newness and seeding products to creators, in some cases, months in advance.—
Noor Lobad,
Footwear News,
27 Feb. 2026
-
After a flurry of activity since teasing reunion shows last March, the band will release A Wave That Will Never Break, produced by Spacemen 3’s Sonic Boom, on April 10.—
Jazz Monroe,
Pitchfork,
25 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Figure out what’s nagging you in the back of your mind.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
4 Mar. 2026
-
Your keen insight catches what others miss — even a small domestic shift can turn nagging stress into quiet stability that feeds body and mind!—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Much of Chicago’s offense came from ex-Knick Guerschon Yabusele, who finished with 11 points and 13 rebounds while taunting his former teammates.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
23 Feb. 2026
-
Defense attorney Kevin Rousseau suggested in witness questioning that Bell-Johnson, who is known as One Leg and uses a prosthetic limb, sought comfort in gang membership in part because of taunting connected to his disability.—
Emerson Clarridge
Updated February 9,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The cost of inaction could be substantial enough to justify urging candidates to assess their viability before the filing deadline.—
Gustavo Arellano,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Mar. 2026
-
Last week, the Department of Homeland Security issued a Critical Incident Report to law enforcement partners warning that the hacktivist group, the Cyber Islamic Resistance has called for cyberattacks against the United States and Israel, urging mobilization of cyber warfare supporters.—
Nicole Sganga,
CBS News,
4 Mar. 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
-
Democrats are hounding the president and other Republicans on affordability, an issue that resonates with voters.—
Garrett Downs,
CNBC,
24 Feb. 2026
-
Smart forced contact from Mathurin, who was then hounding the Lakers guard on the wing, for his second attempt from the field and to tie the game at 109 from just inside the 3-point line.—
Benjamin Royer,
Oc Register,
21 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The revelation quickly made headlines, and the social-media peanut gallery was sharply derisive.—
Emma Sandler,
Vogue,
15 Dec. 2025
-
There is nothing quite like experiencing a truly terrible film with a room full of gleefully derisive bad-movie fans.—
Randy McMullen,
Mercury News,
30 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Needling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/needling. Accessed 6 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
