1
as in taunted
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
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2
as in urged
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 needled
Yang was critical of TKO’s handling of the Las Vegas event, which took place last week at Allegiant Stadium for the second straight year and needled the company over the recent wave of WWE departures.
—
Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 26 Apr. 2026
Johnson could have needled Woods about their windy Sunday stroll at Augusta in ’07, when Johnson trailed Stuart Appleby by two strokes, and Woods by one, heading into the last round in which Johnson’s 69 produced another slice of history.
—Jay Paris, Oc Register, 26 Mar. 2026
But there are other factors that needled their way into the evolutionary development of dormancy characteristics.
—Paul Cappiello, Louisville Courier Journal, 9 Jan. 2026
Thanks to him and his colleagues Lucas Atia and Janet Teng, there’s a much faster, simpler treatment without an IV bag and an hour of getting needled, and a far more accessible treatment for people for whom simply getting to the hospital might be a major hassle or even an impossibility.
—New Atlas, 30 Dec. 2025
The Ukrainian leader also wore more formal attire, something that did not go unnoticed by pro-Trump reporter Brian Glenn, who in February needled Zelensky for his lack of a suit.
—Brett Samuels, The Hill, 18 Aug. 2025
Trump at one point needled Zelenskyy over Ukraine delaying elections.
—Aamer Madhani, Fortune, 18 Aug. 2025
One ayatollah in particular, Ruhollah Khomeini, needled the Shah incessantly.
—Daniel Immerwahr, New Yorker, 4 Aug. 2025
Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 26 Apr. 2026
Johnson could have needled Woods about their windy Sunday stroll at Augusta in ’07, when Johnson trailed Stuart Appleby by two strokes, and Woods by one, heading into the last round in which Johnson’s 69 produced another slice of history.
—Jay Paris, Oc Register, 26 Mar. 2026
But there are other factors that needled their way into the evolutionary development of dormancy characteristics.
—Paul Cappiello, Louisville Courier Journal, 9 Jan. 2026
Thanks to him and his colleagues Lucas Atia and Janet Teng, there’s a much faster, simpler treatment without an IV bag and an hour of getting needled, and a far more accessible treatment for people for whom simply getting to the hospital might be a major hassle or even an impossibility.
—New Atlas, 30 Dec. 2025
The Ukrainian leader also wore more formal attire, something that did not go unnoticed by pro-Trump reporter Brian Glenn, who in February needled Zelensky for his lack of a suit.
—Brett Samuels, The Hill, 18 Aug. 2025
Trump at one point needled Zelenskyy over Ukraine delaying elections.
—Aamer Madhani, Fortune, 18 Aug. 2025
One ayatollah in particular, Ruhollah Khomeini, needled the Shah incessantly.
—Daniel Immerwahr, New Yorker, 4 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for needled
Verb
-
During Sunday afternoon’s series-ending Game 4 — which the Knicks won, 144-114 — the New York fans booed Joel Embiid loudly and taunted him with posters showing Mitchell Robinson dunking on him two days earlier.—
Peter Sblendorio,
Hartford Courant,
11 May 2026
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The window next to my desk overlooks the gym’s large communal exercise room, and throughout the day, I am taunted by the sight of gyrating bodies panting through a Zumba class or a kettlebell set.—
Rachel Syme,
New Yorker,
8 May 2026
Verb
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The report also notes that 10 Republican state attorneys general have urged the SEC to closely examine OpenAI’s disclosures ahead of a potential public offering, while Congress has separately requested information about the company’s safeguards around conflicts of interest.—
Sharon Goldman,
Fortune,
14 May 2026
-
Residents were urged to use caution when walking, biking or recreating nearby, particularly during the early morning and evening hours when mountain lions are most active.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
Millie Bobby Brown may have subtly teased a personal detail while sharing new beachside photos.—
Danielle Minnetian,
FOXNews.com,
18 May 2026
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The same applies to the Kayla Harrison fight Rousey teased in her viral grocery store rant earlier this spring — that one was always more storyline than serious booking, but a retirement announcement closes the door entirely.—
Brian Mazique,
Forbes.com,
16 May 2026
Verb
-
Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy botched an uncontested breakout pass, and Tage Thompson hounded Fraser Minten to force a turnover.—
Matthew Fairburn,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
-
The team has been rocked by a rash of red cards and hounded by both injuries and inconsistent play.—
Ryan Finley,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
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On a bench outside, as mums with their toddlers drink coffee, Trusty is talking about his start in a sport he was mocked for playing as a youngster.—
Greg O'Keeffe,
New York Times,
16 May 2026
-
Jon Stewart also mocked the golden display.—
Tiago Ventura,
Time,
15 May 2026
Verb
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The milquetoast nature of the statement — with its measured language and nonexistent call to action — and the broader absence of real accountability have nagged at me for weeks.—
Uzma Rentia,
STAT,
27 Apr. 2026
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Growing up, my parents constantly nagged me not to sit too close to the TV, convinced my eyes would essentially melt.—
Juhi Wadia,
PC Magazine,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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According to Panettiere, her mother instantly begged for forgiveness and tried to have the charges dropped, but to no avail.—
Arushi Jacob,
Variety,
19 May 2026
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The customer also said that Santos begged her not to press charges.—
Penny Kmitt,
CBS News,
18 May 2026
Verb
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The Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez, has led the European opposition to the Iran war, but his tenure has been dogged by a string of scandals.—
Jill Lepore,
New Yorker,
13 May 2026
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Naturally, accusations of censorship have also dogged the competition.—
Steven Blum,
HollywoodReporter,
12 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Needled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/needled. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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