1
as in teasing
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 nagging
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for needling
Verb
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Seinfeld was clearly teasing, but sure enough, several headlines reported it as gospel with perhaps a mention three paragraphs in that it was intended to be humorous.—
Jenelle Riley,
Variety,
6 Jan. 2025 -
From teasing his retirement to becoming a minister and everything in between, here’s a look at the Hollywood star’s year of surprises.—
Stephanie Giang-Paunon,
Fox News,
5 Jan. 2025
Verb
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With declining tax revenues, the Kremlin is urging war-profiteering oligarchs to bear more of the burden.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
3 Jan. 2025
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Federal officials had issued a warning to local law enforcement agencies some two weeks before the attack urging them to be vigilant about similar incidents.—
Jakob Rodgers,
The Mercury News,
3 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Quad’s grievances spill over into her relationship with Heavenly, which ties into Heavenly and Quad mocking Sweet Tea on social media.—
Shelby Stewart,
Essence,
23 Dec. 2024
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Naturally, the Internet lost its mind, and the scene quickly went viral, with viewers mocking and/or sharing their disbelief at Sheridan's dialogue.—
Kristen Baldwin,
EW.com,
19 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Swisher was referring to Trump’s derisive nickname for Warren, Pocahontas, last aimed at her during his address last Tuesday night.—
Jill Goldsmith,
Deadline,
8 Mar. 2025
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Trump has made a political career out of insulting his adversaries and making up derisive nicknames for them.—
Leonard Greene,
New York Daily News,
2 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Instead, he has officially been recast as a villain that fans have been begging for since James Gunn took the reins.—
George Monastiriakos,
Newsweek,
30 Dec. 2024
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That's the question begging for answers after court documents revealed horrific details about the abuse 7-year-old Kayden Gavarrete suffered for months before dying three days before Christmas.—
Jade Jackson,
The Indianapolis Star,
30 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Rodin Cars The big idea behind Rodin is to build cars without bothering about vehicle regulations – in stark contrast to F1 cars, which are subject to several rules around how they're put together.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
2 Jan. 2025
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The city and state have also been ramping up efforts to engage troubled vagrants sleeping and sometimes bothering straphangers, connecting them with services and shelter and potentially involuntary treatment.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
27 Dec. 2024
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Cite this Entry
“Needling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/needling. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.
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