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
Relevance
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
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 needles
Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2026
This Japanese type of juniper shrub forms a dense mat of prickly blue-green needles that turn slightly purplish in winter.
—Luke Miller, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 Apr. 2026
Bergamot scents a dish of Alpine trout and cauliflower purée, while one of his team is a forager from the region, and brings back clutches of pine needles and wild spinach.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026
Arthur's condition required a doctor to remove some of the fluid around his heart with needles before the transfusion began.
—Staff Author, PEOPLE, 23 Apr. 2026
Feeling cool mud squish between toes, stepping on pine needles and exploring meditation caves, scent stations and dark rooms transform a routine walk into an immersive experience.
—ABC News, 22 Apr. 2026
This all-in-one kit contains scissors, safety pins, needles, buttons, and thread in various colors.
—Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 22 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
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
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
Roise said to help protect against damage from wildfires, residents should clear any potential fuel like bushes, pine needles or propane tanks away from their homes.
—Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2026
This Japanese type of juniper shrub forms a dense mat of prickly blue-green needles that turn slightly purplish in winter.
—Luke Miller, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 Apr. 2026
Bergamot scents a dish of Alpine trout and cauliflower purée, while one of his team is a forager from the region, and brings back clutches of pine needles and wild spinach.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026
Arthur's condition required a doctor to remove some of the fluid around his heart with needles before the transfusion began.
—Staff Author, PEOPLE, 23 Apr. 2026
Feeling cool mud squish between toes, stepping on pine needles and exploring meditation caves, scent stations and dark rooms transform a routine walk into an immersive experience.
—ABC News, 22 Apr. 2026
This all-in-one kit contains scissors, safety pins, needles, buttons, and thread in various colors.
—Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 22 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
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
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
-
Runser referenced indicators in manufacturing showing the sector is expanding, which is supportive of future freight demand.—
Dylan Sherman,
Arkansas Online,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Still, your age can offer a few indicators about what your skin needs, which, for many people in their late 30s and beyond, is moisture and a light touch.—
Annie Blay-Tettey,
Allure,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The video not only teases the studio’s upcoming films and highlights the talent who have signed deals, but also reflects on the Paramount lot’s 100th anniversary.—
Rebecca Ford,
Vanity Fair,
23 Apr. 2026
-
Despite ending with onscreen text that teases a second movie, there are no scenes during the credits.—
Brendan Morrow,
USA Today,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
For families While families are welcome—and larger accommodations like the George Suite can comfortably accommodate them (dogs included)—the Chloe is best suited to solo travelers, couples and culturally curious out-of-towners drawn to design, food, music history, and a strong sense of place.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
23 Apr. 2026
-
The program trains therapy dogs around the state, including Louie, an 8-year-old dog who works for the Worth Police Department.—
Suzanne Le Mignot,
CBS News,
22 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
In stock markets abroad, indexes rose in Europe following a weaker finish in Asia.—
Stan Choe,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Apr. 2026
-
From the in-flight data, the team computed apparent ice emission indices (ice crystals/kg) and nvPM EI for both fuels.—
Srishti Gupta,
Interesting Engineering,
29 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
-
Holding a clutch with one or both hands also provides a polite, socially acceptable reason not to shake every hand within reach.—
Kathryn Palmer,
USA Today,
28 Apr. 2026
-
After their Champions League quarter-final exit at the hands of Atletico Madrid — a title which had been the squad’s main objective — all that is left for Flick’s side now is to seemingly wait to be crowned champions of Spain for a second year in a row.—
Laia Cervelló Herrero,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
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
-
As the 2026 Stagecoach Country Music Festival rides off into the sunset, enjoy the last day of the performances from the comfort of your home.—
Katie Simons,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Apr. 2026
-
Vertical’s Middle East Western Desert Warrior starring Anthony Mackie, Aiysha Hart and Ben Kingsley rides into 1,010 theaters this frame — the end of a long journey to screens for the $150 million project first announced in 2021.—
Jill Goldsmith,
Deadline,
24 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Needles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/needles. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
