pinpricking
Making minute holes
Pinpricking is the act of making tiny punctures or, more often, causing minor but persistent irritations.
The word usually appears figuratively for small annoyances that accumulate: The constant pinpricking of bureaucratic delays wore him down.
Less commonly, it describes the literal sensation of being pricked by pins: a pinpricking feeling in her fingertips.
Slight stinging sensation
- pricklingSharp tingling sensation
- stingingCausing sharp pain
- prickingPuncturing with something sharp
- numbnessLoss of sensation
burning · itching · piercing · sharp · jabbing · poking · prodding · twinge
Pointed implement for sewing
- thimblePitted cap for stitching
- stitchThread loop in fabric
- embroideryDecorative stitching on fabric
- quiltingLayered fabric stitching
tailoring · hemming · darning · basting · pricking · piercing · fabric · textile
State of being bothered
- naggingPersistent bothering or complaining
- pesteringPersistent unwanted attention
- vexingCausing mild torment
- needlingPersistent mild taunting
goading · bothering · irksome · nettlesome · provocation · galling · nitpicking · harassing
Extremely small in size
- infinitesimalQuantity approaching zero
- microscopicToo small for eyes
- speckMinute visible particle
- dotSmall circular mark
puncture · pinpoint · pinhole · perforation · stipple · point · spot · minute
tingling
Slight stinging sensation
numbness · burning · itching · piercing · sharp · jabbing · poking · prodding · twinge · throbbing
needle
Pointed implement for sewing
- thimblePitted cap for stitching
- stitchThread loop in fabric
- embroideryDecorative stitching on fabric
quilting · tailoring · hemming · darning · basting · pricking · piercing · fabric · textile · needlework
annoyance
State of being bothered
- naggingPersistent bothering or complaining
- pesteringPersistent unwanted attention
- vexingCausing mild torment
needling · goading · bothering · irksome · nettlesome · provocation · galling · nitpicking · harassing · aggravating
minuscule
Extremely small in size
- infinitesimalQuantity approaching zero
- microscopicToo small for eyes
- speckMinute visible particle
dot · puncture · pinpoint · pinhole · perforation · stipple · point · spot · minute · fine
- piercingpierce, piercing, puncture, puncturing, stab
pinprickingslashing
Cutting with force
tearing · gashing · ripping · lacerating · gouging
pinprickingbroadside
Fierce written assault
onslaught · frontal assault · bombardment · blitz · barrage
pinprickingsweeping
Extensive and far-reaching
blanket · wholesale · broad-brush · indiscriminate · scattershot
prick, pinnacle, pins, pinned, pincushion, pincer, unpinned, pinprick, pinner