needle 1 of 2

noun

ˈnē-dᵊl How to pronounce needle (audio)
Definition of needlenext
1
as in syringe
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

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2
as in indicator
an arrow-shaped piece on a dial or scale for registering information simply by reading the compass needle you should be able to figure out in which direction we're heading

Synonyms & Similar Words

needle

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to tease
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 to dog
to subject (someone) to constant scoldings and sharp reminders quit needling me! I'll take out the trash in a minute!

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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 needle
Noun
Medical staff failed to follow basic protocol, like ensuring the needles used were fresh, functional and inserted properly, according to the motion. — Rebecca Cohen, NBC news, 2 Oct. 2026 Her attorney Randy Spivey said authorities tried to establish an IV line for an hour with at least seven needles used in her left arm alone. — Victoria Craw, Washington Post, 2 Oct. 2026
Verb
McDaniel needles the other side of the ball too, James said, warning defenders to be ready for a deep pass before hitting them with a quick out. — Los Angeles Times, 29 July 2026 Norris needled Lahti to work out more to beef up his core muscles. — Shi En Kim, AZCentral.com, 26 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for needle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for needle
  1. syringe
  2. indicator
  3. tease
  4. dog
  5. index
  6. taunt
  7. urge
  8. bait
Noun
  • Drugmakers are now racing to deliver the same medicines without a syringe in the form of a strip.
    — Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Investigators recovered syringes and a spoon next to a brown powdery substance in the bathroom, as well as a handgun, two shot glasses and a syringe on a nightstand next to the bed, the report states.
    — Tracy Wright , Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of syringe
Noun
  • Revenue matters, but profitability, operational excellence, customer experience and leadership capacity are equally important indicators of long-term success.
    — James Barlow, Forbes.com, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Key indicators that your current setup is failing include noticeable air currents that can be felt from across the room, as well as condensation or moisture trapped between the glass panes.
    — Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of indicator
Verb
  • Audrey Niffenegger has long teased the sequel to The Time Traveler’s Wife, featuring Clare and Henry’s Chrono-Displaced daughter Alba and her two husbands—Oliver, a time traveler like her, and Zach, existing in linear time.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Projections of silhouettes walking across the walls teased the upcoming show for roughly half an hour as guests were seated in their corresponding sections.
    — Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of tease
Verb
  • Although corruption has long dogged some of Brazil’s most ambitious foreign policy projects, recent public scandals have dealt a blow to the country’s reputation.
    — MATIAS SPEKTOR, Foreign Affairs, 2 Oct. 2026
  • The investigation is dogged by unanswered questions, such as how many people are believed to have taken part in her abduction and whether she was taken by someone who knew her.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of dog
Noun
  • The Dow fell 3% during the three-month period, but the tech-heavy Nasdaq and broad-market index each advanced by at least 2%.
    — Liz Napolitano, CNBC, 4 Oct. 2026
  • Some counties show the index for free but charge for downloadable or certified copies.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of index
Verb
  • After jawing with Oregon players, the junior linebacker was seen taunting the Oregon sideline and celebrating on his way back to USC’s side of the field.
    — Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 30 Sep. 2026
  • Afroman went on to publish songs and music videos taunting the deputies, including one called Lemon Pound Cake that mocked the portly deputy for his apparent interest in the cake.
    — Andrew Graham, Sacbee.com, 22 Sep. 2026
Definition of taunt
Verb
  • Bryan pushed back at the time, arguing that the song spoke to both sides of the aisle and urging fans not to let social media narratives divide them.
    — Jessica Lynch, Billboard, 3 Oct. 2026
  • In 2016, the American Academy of Pediatrics issued a policy statement urging doctors to offer medications for opioid use disorder to adolescent and young adult patients who needed them.
    — Theresa Gaffney, STAT, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of urge
Verb
  • But someone needs to jar Bell's memory and adjust his grasp of facts to get him off this race-baiting narrative.
    — Armando Salguero OutKick, FOXNews.com, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Our top picks include the second season of a stylish video game spin-off anime and an Emmy-baiting prestige drama.
    — K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of bait

Phrases Containing needle

Browse Nearby Words

needing
needle
needled
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Cite this Entry

“Needle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/needle. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on needle

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about needle

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