a needle in a haystack

noun phrase

informal
: someone or something that is very hard to find
Searching for your earring at the park will be like looking for a needle in a haystack.

Examples of a needle in a haystack in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Finding that actual point of compromise can be like finding a needle in a haystack. — Muhammad Azeem, Forbes.com, 26 May 2026 However, finding a pair that is both supportive and chic can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack. — Destinee Scott, Travel + Leisure, 26 June 2026 Finding the best discounts at Wayfair can feel a bit like locating a needle in a haystack. — Shea Simmons, Southern Living, 26 Dec. 2025 Finding positive comments in the reams of paper was the equivalent of searching for a needle in a haystack. — Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy, USA Today, 4 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for a needle in a haystack

Rhymes for a needle in a haystack

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Browse Nearby Words

anechoic
a needle in a haystack
Aneilema
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Cite this Entry

“A needle in a haystack.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/a%20needle%20in%20a%20haystack. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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