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needling

ADJECTIVE

sarcastic

Synonyms

STRONGEST

acerbic acid arrogant biting bitter brusque caustic derisive disparaging disrespectful mordant sardonic satirical saucy trenchant

WEAK

acerb acrimonious austere backhanded captious carping chaffing contemptuous contumelious corrosive cussed cutting cynical disillusioned evil hostile irascible ironical mean offensive ornery salty scorching scornful scurrilous severe sharp smart-alecky snarling sneering taunting twitting weisenheiming

Antonyms

STRONGEST

bland calm complimentary courteous kind mild nice polite respectful sweet

ADJECTIVE

satiric

Synonyms

STRONGEST

acerbic biting caustic corrosive mocking mordant sardonic satirical trenchant

WEAK

acerb acid acrimonious arrogant austere backhanded bitter brusque captious carping chaffing contemptuous contumelious cussed cutting cynical derisive disillusioned disparaging disrespectful evil hostile irascible ironical jeering mean offensive ornery salty saucy scoffing scorching scornful scurrilous severe sharp smart-alecky snarling sneering taunting twitting weisenheiming

Antonyms

STRONGEST

calm kind mild nice

ADJECTIVE

scoffing

Synonyms

STRONG

acid backhanded biting bitter carping caustic chaffing corrosive cussed cutting disillusioned disparaging evil hostile jeering mean mocking mordant offensive scorching sharp snarling sneering taunting twitting

WEAK

acerb acerbic acrimonious arrogant austere brusque captious contemptuous contumelious cynical derisive disrespectful irascible ironical ornery salty sardonic satiric satirical saucy scornful scurrilous severe smart-alecky trenchant weisenheiming

Antonyms

STRONG

agreeable bland calm complimentary good honest kind mild nice pleasant sweet

NOUN

ridicule

Synonyms

STRONGEST

caricature contempt derision disdain jeer laughter mockery parody sarcasm satire scorn taunt taunting

STRONG

badinage banter buffoonery burlesque comeback dig disparagement farce foolery gibe irony jab persiflage put on raillery roast slam sneer swipe travesty

WEAK

mordancy parting shot put down sardonicism

Antonyms

STRONGEST

admiration approval compliment flattery love praise respect

STRONG

commendation

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

British journalist Piers Morgan, who delights in needling Australia, posted his condolences along with a prayer emoji on social media: "My thoughts with @CricketAus at this very difficult time."

From Barron's • Feb. 17, 2026

One girl in school enjoyed needling me: “Why weren’t you in school yesterday? Oh, I bet because you were on TV.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 21, 2025

Kupp has been in the league since 2017 and doesn’t mind needling his buddy a bit, especially about the hands.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 17, 2024

That’s when the needling kicked into a higher gear.

From Salon • Sep. 11, 2024

The young chemist sprinted up three flights to Lawrence’s office in LeConte Hall to find him in a state of agitation over Urey’s needling.

From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik

needling

Example Sentences

Related Words