haystack

[hey-stak] / ˈheɪˌstæk /

NOUN

stack of hay

Synonyms

STRONG

hay haycock hayrick pile rick sheaf stack

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.

The process can take months for a single archaeological site and often feels like searching for a needle in a haystack.

From Science Daily • May 11, 2026

Maven was built to find the needle in the haystack.

From Barron's • Apr. 5, 2026

This eliminates the costs and risks associated with pinpointing naturally occurring pockets of hot water, which are like needles in a haystack.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 21, 2026

Before services like his came along, finding work, or even the best route, was like "finding a needle in a haystack", the Freightera boss explains.

From BBC • Jul. 21, 2025

I guess I should have realized that a haystack is not a smart place to hide when you’re running from fire.

From "Rump: The (Fairly) True Story of Rumpelstilskin" by Liesl Shurtliff