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
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Recent Examples of needles
Chadner Navarro, Vogue, 10 Feb. 2026
Put the cutting in a jar or vase of water, making sure to keep the needles above the water line.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 9 Feb. 2026
In addition to the push north, more subplots sprout up in this sage saga than needles on a barrel cactus.
—Miles Beller, HollywoodReporter, 4 Feb. 2026
If the upper needles turn brown, dry, and drop, the cutting has failed.
—Barbara Gillette, The Spruce, 31 Jan. 2026
The price and lack of access have led some diabetics to underdose, use expired insulin, reuse needles or starve themselves to control their blood sugar levels.
—Kyle Werner, Des Moines Register, 30 Jan. 2026
Over the years, acupuncture has been recognized as an effective treatment for pain and acupuncture pen work similarly to acupuncture needles.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 28 Jan. 2026
That may include people who are afraid of needles, as well as people who could benefit from existing injections but don’t view their condition as severe enough to warrant a weekly shot.
—Annika Kim Constantino, CNBC, 23 Jan. 2026
Andrew Wiggins and Davion Mitchell have been nice additions but hardly are moving any playoff-race needles, and Kasparas Jakucionis still is raw.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 21 Jan. 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
Its Julnâr is full of texture and subtle layers, mixing champagne with sea lettuce, honey, celery, and vodka infused with pine needles.
—Chadner Navarro, Vogue, 10 Feb. 2026
Put the cutting in a jar or vase of water, making sure to keep the needles above the water line.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 9 Feb. 2026
In addition to the push north, more subplots sprout up in this sage saga than needles on a barrel cactus.
—Miles Beller, HollywoodReporter, 4 Feb. 2026
If the upper needles turn brown, dry, and drop, the cutting has failed.
—Barbara Gillette, The Spruce, 31 Jan. 2026
The price and lack of access have led some diabetics to underdose, use expired insulin, reuse needles or starve themselves to control their blood sugar levels.
—Kyle Werner, Des Moines Register, 30 Jan. 2026
Over the years, acupuncture has been recognized as an effective treatment for pain and acupuncture pen work similarly to acupuncture needles.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 28 Jan. 2026
That may include people who are afraid of needles, as well as people who could benefit from existing injections but don’t view their condition as severe enough to warrant a weekly shot.
—Annika Kim Constantino, CNBC, 23 Jan. 2026
Andrew Wiggins and Davion Mitchell have been nice additions but hardly are moving any playoff-race needles, and Kasparas Jakucionis still is raw.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 21 Jan. 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
-
There were no signs of police or indicators of a crime scene.—
Sofia Saric,
Miami Herald,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Because tax relief involves negotiating with the IRS and handling sensitive financial information, credibility indicators are critical.—
Roxanne Downer,
USA Today,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
As his feelings for Sophie deepen, the trailer teases rising tension around class, identity and loyalty, forcing Benedict to confront whether love can truly exist outside the rigid expectations of the Ton.—
Kennedy French,
Variety,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Mykhailova teases him about being so much older than the other students in the program.—
Natalie Yahr,
jsonline.com,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Her first concern, Bloor said, was getting the family dogs out of the room before anything escalated.—
Jasmine Baehr,
FOXNews.com,
18 Jan. 2026
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Therapy dogs with the nonprofit also help children learn to read and assist in clinical therapy settings.—
Kelli Bender,
PEOPLE,
31 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
In stock markets abroad, indexes fell across much of Europe and Asia.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
6 Feb. 2026
-
In stock markets abroad, indexes fell across much of Europe and Asia.—
Stan Choe,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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In a 30-second clip, Adams is seen leaving a jet bridge while a woman who is walking ahead of him seemingly taunts Adams.—
Marley Malenfant,
Austin American Statesman,
15 Jan. 2026
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The two come face-to-face at the end of the episode, during which Callahan taunts Kyle over his wife's murder.—
Allison DeGrushe,
Entertainment Weekly,
29 Dec. 2025
Noun
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And while their steamy, sweaty dalliances are hot and heavy (albeit mostly clothed), most swoonworthy are the smaller moments, like Heathcliff gently cupping his hands to keep the rain out of Cathy’s eyes.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
10 Feb. 2026
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Dodds and Mouat, who entered the field as favorites, shook hands with the Wrana siblings with one end still to play.—
JULIA FRANKEL,
Arkansas Online,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Setting traps and baits eradicates or, at least, discourages these pests from tunneling through your garden and nibbling roots to damage perennials and shrubs.—
Barbara Gillette,
The Spruce,
15 Jan. 2026
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This Christmas, Nelson’s surprising and fresh remake baits controversy in a couple new ways.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
11 Dec. 2025
Verb
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If funding is secured, that would begin a years-long process of planning, design, construction and testing before anyone rides the line.—
Eleanor Nash,
Kansas City Star,
10 Feb. 2026
-
In the two Tesla rides the American-Statesman requested, the first had a wait time of 29 minutes, while the second had a wait time of 13 minutes — both longer than the average Waymo wait time.—
Karoline Leonard,
Austin American Statesman,
3 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Needles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/needles. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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