Synonyms of needles

needles 1 of 2

noun

plural of needle

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

• syringes
• hypodermics
• hypodermic needles
• hypes
• hypodermic syringes

2

as in indicators

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

• indicators
• indexes
• hands
• gauges
• pointers
• dials
• faces

needles

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of needle

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

• teases
• taunts
• baits
• mocks
• rides
• bothers
• hazes
• tortures
• hassles
• picks on
• annoys
• nettles
• plagues
• heckles
• ruffles
• troubles
• ridicules
• irritates
• tests
• makes game of
• itches
• gibes
• grates
• galls
• spites
• frets
• rasps
• gripes
• bullies
• bugs
• goads
• frosts
• dogs
• tries
• badgers
• burns (up)
• narks
• peeves
• jeers
• riles
• beleaguers
• chafes
• vexes
• pesters
• aggravates
• torments
• discomforts
• gnaws (at)
• nags
• derides
• disturbs
• aggrieves
• exasperates
• piques
• irks
• hacks (off)
• gets
• puts out
• hounds
• hagrides
• agitates
• bedevils
• persecutes
• hectors
• perturbs
• harries
• harasses
• browbeats
• terrorizes

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

• dogs
• pecks (at)
• picks at
• urges
• henpecks
• hounds
• begs
• nags
• bothers
• eggs
• badgers
• spurs
• baits
• pressures
• prods
• pushes
• annoys
• plagues
• bugs
• goads
• rides
• prompts
• carps (at)
• harries
• fusses (about or over)
• pesters
• vexes
• harasses
• hassles
• insists
• chivies
• wheedles
• irks
• presses
• coaxes
• incites
• cajoles
• yaps (at)
• nitpicks
• importunes
• pleads
• exhorts
• blandishes

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• compliments
• recommends
• praises
• commends
• builds up
• lauds
• applauds
• extols
• touts
• acclaims
• eulogizes

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of needles

Noun

The execution team worked for an hour to administer the lethal drugs, said Pike's defense lawyer Randy Spivey, who counted at least seven needles in her left arm. — Arkansas Online, 3 Oct. 2026

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

The execution team worked for an hour to administer the lethal drugs, said Pike’s defense lawyer Randy Spivey, who counted at least seven needles in her left arm. — Kim Chandler, Los Angeles Times, 2 Oct. 2026

Pike’s team contends the execution team struggled to establish IV access, using at least seven needles before administering two lethal doses of pentobarbital. — Greg Wehner , Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 2 Oct. 2026

To break the chains of infections stemming from contaminated needles, Soqo has proposed supplying thousands of sterile needles and syringes to communities of methamphetamine users. — David Cox, NPR, 26 Sep. 2026

The machine is available in E28 and E32 gauges, corresponding to 28 or 32 needles per inch, and with four fabric batching systems. — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 25 Sep. 2026

No gas capsules, needles or refills -- hands-free sealing with a completion beep. — ABC News, 21 Sep. 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

The Velvet Gang needles the outraged Christie ever so. — Randy Myers, Mercury News, 19 May 2026

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

Phrases Containing needles

• on pins and needles