when needled

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "when needled" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone is provoked or pressured into responding or acting, often in a confrontational context. Example: "He finally spoke up when needled by his colleagues about his silence on the issue."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Geoff Gober recalled his irritation when needled by his colleagues about the news that the running back for his beloved Georgia, Isaiah Crowell — an all-SEC selection last season as a freshman — was kicked off the team in June after being arrested on weapons charges.

The New York Times - Sports

Jamieson retorts when needled.

Forbes

“It’s easy to call the play after the game is over,” Knight grumbles when needled about Perez’s tenure.

Forbes

She didn't say they were selling the assets– even when needled by Clamen– but she didn't say they weren't  selling them, the way she categorically denied an upcoming ouster or talk of a strong number two joining her team.

TechCrunch

This observation suggests that maybe not all acupuncture points produce somatosensory changes when needled. 12 25 In the case of LR8, the outcome from this study is that NA at this acupuncture point is significantly somatomotor.

Acupuncture in Medicine

Empirically, LR8 is not particularly uncomfortable or painful when needled to produce the de qi sensation, unlike widely investigated acupuncture points ST36 or LI4 which are known to be uncomfortable to similar needling.

Acupuncture in Medicine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Other numbers benefit live from increased contrast, as on 'Torso' when needling guitars lift the chorus from the verse's bare two-step beat.

Independent

Our results revealed an apparent activation of the limbic system when needling the sham-point and ST36.

BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine

Those 28 studies found that when needle exchange programs were tried in San Francisco, Portland, Ore., Tacoma, Wash., and Baltimore, needle sharing decreased by a range of 16percentto72percentcent.

The New York Times - Health

Dr. Frieden has noted that in the early 1990's, when needle exchanges were relatively few, 50percentt of injecting drug users were H.I.V. positive.

The New York Times

Mr. Clear looks forward to the day when needle exchange programs are completely normalized in society, when advertisements for them become as common as, say, subway campaigns promoting safe sex and condom use.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "when needled" to concisely describe situations where someone is subtly or persistently provoked into a response, especially when they were initially hesitant or unwilling to engage.

Common error

Avoid using "when needled" in highly formal or professional writing where a more neutral or precise term like "when prompted" or "when questioned" would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "when needled" functions as an adverbial clause of time, modifying a verb to indicate the timing of an action. As per Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct. The primary grammatical function is defining when an action or state occurs, specifically after someone is provoked or pressed.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Science

43%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "when needled" is a grammatically correct and usable clause that describes a scenario where someone responds after being provoked or pressed. As per Ludwig AI, the phrase is usable in written English. It's most commonly found in news and scientific contexts. While generally acceptable, it might be too informal for certain formal situations, where alternatives like "when prompted" or "when questioned" might be more appropriate. Remember to use "when needled" to concisely describe situations where someone is subtly or persistently provoked into a response, especially when they were initially hesitant or unwilling to engage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

when provoked

Focuses on the act of being instigated or incited to react.

when pressed

Highlights the application of insistent urging or questioning.

when goaded

Emphasizes a more aggressive form of provocation, like taunting.

when prodded

Implies gentle encouragement or urging to take action.

when questioned

Focuses specifically on being asked questions that elicit a response.

when challenged

Highlights a situation where one's abilities or statements are put to the test.

when aggravated

Focuses on being annoyed or irritated to the point of reacting.

when cornered

Implies being put in a situation where a response is unavoidable.

when under pressure

Highlights the external force compelling a response or action.

when prompted

Focuses on being encouraged or given a cue to speak or act.

FAQs

How can I use "when needled" in a sentence?

You can use "when needled" to describe a situation where someone is subtly or persistently provoked into a response. For example, "He finally responded "when needled" by the interviewer about his past failures".

What are some alternatives to "when needled"?

Some alternatives to "when needled" include "when provoked", "when pressed", or "when questioned". The best choice depends on the specific context and the level of formality desired.

Is "when needled" appropriate for formal writing?

While "when needled" is grammatically correct, it may be too informal for some formal contexts. Consider using a more neutral alternative like "when prompted" in those situations.

What's the difference between "when needled" and "when questioned"?

"When needled" implies a degree of persistent or subtle provocation, whereas "when questioned" simply indicates that someone was asked a question. The former suggests a more pressured or uncomfortable situation.