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Sword vs. Needle: What's the Difference?

Edited by Huma Saeed || By Sawaira Riaz || Updated on September 29, 2023
A sword is a bladed weapon used primarily for cutting or thrusting, while a needle is a slender, pointed implement used for sewing, piercing, or injecting.

Key Differences

A sword is a weapon, usually with a long, sharp blade, designed for cutting, thrusting, or slashing. A needle, on the other hand, is a slender, pointed tool typically used for sewing or medical purposes like administering injections.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
The materials used to construct a sword and a needle also differ. Swords are commonly made of metals like steel, designed for durability and effectiveness in combat. Needles are also metal but are often much smaller, designed for precision rather than strength.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
The functionality of a sword is primarily offensive or defensive in nature, as it is a weapon. A needle serves more diverse functions, from sewing fabric to administering medicine, and it is generally not considered a weapon.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
Swords have been symbolic objects throughout history, representing honor, nobility, or power. Needles, in contrast, are more utilitarian and lack the same level of symbolism, although they can symbolize care or healing in some contexts.
Harlon Moss
Sep 17, 2023
In terms of physical structure, a sword typically has a hilt, blade, and often a scabbard. A needle usually has an eye at one end for threading and is pointed at the other for piercing.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
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Comparison Chart

Primary Use

Weapon for combat
Tool for sewing, piercing, or injecting
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023

Material

Typically made of steel
Usually made of stainless steel or other metals
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023

Function

Offensive or Defensive
Utilitarian
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023

Symbolism

Represents honor, nobility, or power
Lacks significant symbolism
Aimie Carlson
Sep 17, 2023

Structural Features

Has a hilt, blade, and often a scabbard
Pointed at one end, eye at the other
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
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Sword and Needle Definitions

Sword

An instrument for cutting.
The samurai’s sword was razor-sharp.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023

Needle

A part of a gauge or meter.
The needle on the fuel gauge was low.
Sara Rehman
Sep 17, 2023

Sword

A weapon with a long blade.
The knight unsheathed his sword.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023

Needle

A slender, pointed implement used for sewing or surgical suturing, made usually of polished steel and having an eye at one end through which a length of thread is passed and held.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 29, 2023

Sword

A symbol of authority or power.
Justice is often depicted with a sword.
Sara Rehman
Sep 17, 2023
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Needle

Any of various similar implements, such as a fine sharp-pointed instrument used in acupuncture or a pointed shaft used in knitting, crocheting, or lace making.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 29, 2023

Sword

An element in heraldry or symbolism.
The family crest features two crossed swords.
Harlon Moss
Sep 17, 2023

Needle

A sharp-pointed instrument used in engraving.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 29, 2023

Sword

A handheld weapon consisting typically of a long, straight or slightly curved, pointed blade having one or two cutting edges and set into a hilt.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 29, 2023

Needle

A slender piece of jewel or steel used to transmit vibrations from the grooves of a phonograph record.
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Apr 29, 2023

Sword

An instrument of death or destruction.
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Apr 29, 2023

Needle

A slender pointer or indicator on a dial, scale, or similar part of a mechanical device.
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Apr 29, 2023

Sword

The use of force, as in war.
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Apr 29, 2023

Needle

A magnetic needle.
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Apr 29, 2023

Sword

Military power or jurisdiction.
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Apr 29, 2023

Needle

A hypodermic needle.
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Apr 29, 2023

Sword

(weaponry) A long-bladed weapon device with a grip- a hilt (a pommel and cross guard), which is designed to cut, stab, slash and/or hack.
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Apr 29, 2023

Needle

(Informal) A hypodermic injection; a shot.
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Apr 29, 2023

Sword

(tarot) A suit in the minor arcana in tarot.
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Apr 29, 2023

Needle

Chiefly Upper Northern US See dragonfly.
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Apr 29, 2023

Sword

(tarot) A card of this suit.
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Apr 29, 2023

Needle

A narrow stiff leaf, as of a pine or fir.
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Apr 29, 2023

Sword

(weaving) One of the end bars by which the lay of a hand loom is suspended.
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Apr 29, 2023

Needle

A fine, sharp projection, as a spine of a sea urchin or a crystal.
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Apr 29, 2023

Sword

(heraldry) The weapon, often used as a heraldic charge.
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Apr 29, 2023

Needle

A tall narrow rock formation.
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Apr 29, 2023

Sword

To stab or cut with a sword
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Apr 29, 2023

Needle

An obelisk.
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Apr 29, 2023

Sword

An offensive weapon, having a long and usually sharp-pointed blade with a cutting edge or edges. It is the general term, including the small sword, rapier, saber, scimiter, and many other varieties.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 29, 2023

Needle

(Informal) A goading, provoking, or teasing remark or act.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 29, 2023

Sword

Hence, the emblem of judicial vengeance or punishment, or of authority and power.
He [the ruler] beareth not the sword in vain.
She quits the balance, and resigns the sword.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 29, 2023

Needle

To prick, pierce, or stitch with a needle.
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Apr 29, 2023

Sword

Destruction by the sword, or in battle; war; dissension.
I came not to send peace, but a sword.
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Apr 29, 2023

Needle

(Informal) To goad, provoke, or tease.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 29, 2023

Sword

The military power of a country.
He hath no more authority over the sword than over the law.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 29, 2023

Needle

To sew or do similar work with a needle.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 29, 2023

Sword

One of the end bars by which the lay of a hand loom is suspended.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 29, 2023

Needle

A long, thin, sharp implement usually for piercing as in sewing, embroidery, acupuncture, tattooing, body piercing, medical injections, sutures, etc; or a blunt but otherwise similar implement used for forming loops or knots in crafts such as darning, knitting, tatting, etc.
The seamstress threaded the needle to sew on a button.
Reusable needles
Single-use needles
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 29, 2023

Sword

A cutting or thrusting weapon with a long blade
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Apr 29, 2023

Needle

Any slender, pointed object resembling a needle, such as a pointed crystal, a sharp pinnacle of rock, an obelisk, etc.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 29, 2023

Sword

A tool used in fencing.
The athletes crossed swords in a match.
Aimie Carlson
Sep 17, 2023

Needle

A fine measurement indicator on a dial or graph.
A compass needle
The needle on the fuel gauge pointed to empty.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 29, 2023

Needle

(informal) A sensor for playing phonograph records, a phonograph stylus.
Ziggy bought some diamond needles for his hi-fi phonograph.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 29, 2023

Needle

A needle-like leaf found on some conifers.
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Apr 29, 2023

Needle

A strong beam resting on props, used as a temporary support during building repairs.
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Apr 29, 2023

Needle

The death penalty carried out by lethal injection.
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Apr 29, 2023

Needle

(programming) A text string that is searched for within another string. (see: needle in a haystack)
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Apr 29, 2023

Needle

(entomology) Any of various species of damselfly of the genus Synlestes, endemic to Australia.
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Apr 29, 2023

Needle

To pierce with a needle, especially for sewing or acupuncture.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 29, 2023

Needle

(transitive) To tease in order to provoke; to poke fun at.
Billy needled his sister incessantly about her pimples.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 29, 2023

Needle

(ambitransitive) To form, or be formed, in the shape of a needle.
To needle crystals
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Apr 29, 2023

Needle

A small instrument of steel, sharply pointed at one end, with an eye to receive a thread, - used in sewing.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 29, 2023

Needle

See Magnetic needle, under Magnetic.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 29, 2023

Needle

A slender rod or wire used in knitting; a knitting needle; also, a hooked instrument which carries the thread or twine, and by means of which knots or loops are formed in the process of netting, knitting, or crocheting.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 29, 2023

Needle

One of the needle-shaped secondary leaves of pine trees. See Pinus.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 29, 2023

Needle

Any slender, pointed object, like a needle, as a pointed crystal, a sharp pinnacle of rock, an obelisk, etc.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 29, 2023

Needle

A hypodermic needle; a syringe fitted with a hypodermic needle, used for injecting fluids into the body.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 29, 2023

Needle

An injection of medicine from a hypodermic needle; a shot.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 29, 2023

Needle

To form in the shape of a needle; as, to needle crystals.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 29, 2023

Needle

To tease (a person), especially repeatedly.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 29, 2023

Needle

To prod or goad (someone) into action by teasing or daring.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 29, 2023

Needle

To form needles; to crystallize in the form of needles.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 29, 2023

Needle

As of a conifer
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 29, 2023

Needle

A slender pointer for indicating the reading on the scale of a measuring instrument
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 29, 2023

Needle

A sharp pointed implement (usually steel)
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 29, 2023

Needle

A stylus that formerly made sound by following a groove in a phonograph record
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 29, 2023

Needle

Goad or provoke,as by constant criticism;
He needled her with his sarcastic remarks
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 29, 2023

Needle

Prick with a needle
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 29, 2023

Needle

A tool for sewing.
She threaded the needle to mend the tear.
Janet White
Sep 17, 2023

Needle

A medical instrument for injections.
The nurse prepared the needle for the vaccine.
Sara Rehman
Sep 17, 2023

Needle

A slender, pointed object.
The compass needle pointed north.
Harlon Moss
Sep 17, 2023

Needle

A stylus on a record player.
He carefully placed the needle on the vinyl.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023

FAQs

Is a needle ever used as a weapon?

Needles are generally not considered weapons but can be used maliciously.
Aimie Carlson
Sep 17, 2023

What is a sword?

A sword is a bladed weapon primarily used for cutting or thrusting.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023

Are swords still in use today?

Swords are largely ceremonial or collector's items today, but are used in sports like fencing.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023

What is a needle?

A needle is a slender, pointed tool mainly used for sewing or injecting substances.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023

What are swords made of?

Swords are typically made of metal alloys like steel.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023

Are there different types of needles?

Yes, there are sewing needles, hypodermic needles, acupuncture needles, and more.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023

Do swords have a symbolic meaning?

Yes, swords can symbolize power, authority, or honor.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023

Are needles dangerous?

Needles can be hazardous if not used properly, especially in medical contexts.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023

Can you sew with any type of needle?

No, different tasks require specific types of needles.
Aimie Carlson
Sep 17, 2023

Can a sword be used for other purposes?

While designed for combat, swords can also be ceremonial or decorative items.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023

What are needles made of?

Needles are commonly made of stainless steel.
Aimie Carlson
Sep 17, 2023

Are swords and needles ever compared metaphorically?

They can be, as in the saying "the pen is mightier than the sword," but such comparisons are not common.
Sara Rehman
Sep 17, 2023

Do needles have a symbolic meaning?

Needles generally lack the symbolic weight that swords carry.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023

Are swords dangerous?

Yes, swords are weapons and should be handled with care.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023

Can swords be dual-wielded?

Dual-wielding is possible but requires special training.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
About Author
Written by
Sawaira Riaz
Sawaira is a dedicated content editor at difference.wiki, where she meticulously refines articles to ensure clarity and accuracy. With a keen eye for detail, she upholds the site's commitment to delivering insightful and precise content.
Edited by
Huma Saeed
Huma is a renowned researcher acclaimed for her innovative work in Difference Wiki. Her dedication has led to key breakthroughs, establishing her prominence in academia. Her contributions continually inspire and guide her field.

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