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

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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

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
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
Noun
In addition to providing clean syringes and collecting used needles, these programs distribute the lifesaving overdose reversal medication naloxone. — Paul Christine, The Conversation, 25 Aug. 2026 Starting point for hikes into Larch Valley and Sentinel Pass are some of Banff National Park’s best (ablaze in autumn when larch needles are golden). — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Aug. 2026 Over the past few years, a steady increase has been reported of workers getting poked by needles in the trash. — Amethyst Martinez, USA Today, 21 Aug. 2026 If your child is frightened of needles, another option is nasal spray. — Eva Flowe august 19, Charlotte Observer, 19 Aug. 2026 Parents who once lobbied for safe play spaces now gather in a nearby park as their children clamber over obstacles, the ground refreshingly clear of litter or needles. — Kyle Vanelli, STAT, 14 Aug. 2026 At the heart of CipherX's technology is a small patch filled with hundreds of microscopic biodegradable needles, each preloaded with pigment. — Maryna Holovnova, New Atlas, 6 Aug. 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for needles
  1. indicators
  2. teases
  3. dogs
  4. indexes
  5. taunts
  6. urges
  7. hands
  8. baits
Noun
  • Today, they’re considered indicators of healthy freshwater ecosystems, since the otters rely on clean water, plentiful fish and intact river habitat.
    — Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Both brands have features like wetness indicators, tabs, stretchy material and are paraben-free.
    — BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of indicators
Verb
  • The trailer also teases additional confrontation between Jen Affleck and Whitney Leavitt, the latter of whom is leaving the series after Season 5.
    — Katie Campione, Deadline, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Trump teases Karoline Leavitt replacement Why is Karoline Leavitt leaving the White House?
    — Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of teases
Verb
  • This spring, Anthropic let the robot dogs out again, but this time, an improved Claude worked alone.
    — Harry Booth, Time, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Canine transmissible venereal tumor, or CTVT, is a genital cancer that dogs pass to one another during mating.
    — John Drake, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026
Definition of dogs
Noun
  • Stock futures are flat this morning after a positive day for all three major indexes.
    — Alex Harring, CNBC, 26 Aug. 2026
  • In stock markets around the world, many indexes drifted modestly higher.
    — Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of indexes
Verb
  • Continue reading … -- POLITICS 'BAD LOOK' – Newsom's attack dog taunts Buttigieg over South Carolina visit as 2028 fight heats up.
    — , FOXNews.com, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Trump routinely mocks Newsom and refers to the governor using a derogatory nickname, while Newsom taunts the president with frequent social media posts.
    — Darlene Superville, Fortune, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of taunts
Verb
  • The advisory urges drivers to slow down, use their headlights, and leave extra space between vehicles.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Still, Malwarebytes urges users to be careful when searching for GTA 6 leaks.
    — Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of urges
Noun
  • That afternoon, the president, inside the exposition’s ornate Temple of Music, greeted members of the public, shaking hands and warmly inviting them to explore the fair.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Mendoza threw high to Jalen Nailor on his second play, and the ball popped into the air into the hands of San Francisco linebacker Tatum Bethune for an interception.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of hands
Verb
  • First, Verbruggen baits Joao Pedro, who abandons Olivier Boscagli.
    — Jon Mackenzie, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Specialty carp baits and tackle drive a large portion of the European recreational fishing industries sales.
    — Joe Cermele, Outdoor Life, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of baits

Phrases Containing needles

Browse Nearby Words

needlers
needles
needless
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Cite this Entry

“Needles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/needles. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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