needle
NEE-duhl
/ˈniːdl/
To annoy or provoke someone, especially by repeated small criticisms or teases.
Needling is subtle and persistent. It's not a loud shout; it's a series of small 'pricks' that eventually wear a person down.
The story behind the word. The verb comes directly from the tool. Just as a sewing needle makes tiny, sharp punctures, 'needling' someone involves making tiny, sharp remarks that 'puncture' their composure.
Word relationships
- goad: Goading is more about pushing someone to act; needling is more about simply annoying them.
- flatter: Flatter means to praise someone excessively; needling is the opposite of praise.
Commonly confused with
- wheedle: Wheedle means to use flattery to get what you want; needle means to use annoyance to bother someone.
Word family
- needling (noun): The act of persistently annoying someone.
Collocations
- constantly needle
- needle someone into
- needle with questions
Example sentences
- "His sister would needle him about his fear of spiders whenever they were in the garden." Describing a sibling relationship.
- "He continued to needle the administration until they finally agreed to a meeting." A quote about persistence.
Memory hook
Needle = A tiny prick. You are giving someone a thousand tiny pricks with your words. Needle: Tiny verbal pricks.
When not to use
Don't use it for a major, one-time insult. Needling requires repetition.
Fun facts
- The phrase 'to needle' someone first appeared in American English in the late 19th century.
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