needier; neediest
1
: being in want : poverty-stricken
needy families
… where needy children from the community could come to get free, nutritious meals.—
Liza N. Burby
Liza N. Burby2
: marked by want of affection, attention, or emotional support
emotionally needy
The girl was needy for her mother's affection.
neediness
noun
Examples of needy in a Sentence
As a child, she was extremely needy and had no self-confidence.
those generous souls who regularly give money and donate clothes to help the needy
Recent Examples on the Web
Should endowment taxes increase, dozens of prominent institutions may need to reduce their spending on helping financially needy students be able to attend college.
—Michael T. Nietzel, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025
Andrew Do, the former Orange County supervisor who took more than $550,000 in bribes over COVID-relief money meant to buy meals for needy, elderly constituents, was sentenced Monday to five years in federal prison.
—Christopher Goffard, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2025
Through a charmingly off-kilter blend of 2D aesthetics, the film follows a protagonist who, after catching a highly contagious virus, must abandon her work as a personal assistant to a demanding boss and her duties at home with a useless husband and two needy kids.
—Jamie Lang, Variety, 7 June 2025
While Kidman’s Masha is back, this time lording over a group of needy and neurotic folks in the Bavarian Alps, the dull and draggy new season (premiering May 21) has little of the humor and emotional weight that made the original worth watching.
—Kristen Baldwin, EW.com, 19 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for needy
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Michael T. Nietzel, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025
Andrew Do, the former Orange County supervisor who took more than $550,000 in bribes over COVID-relief money meant to buy meals for needy, elderly constituents, was sentenced Monday to five years in federal prison.
—Christopher Goffard, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2025
Through a charmingly off-kilter blend of 2D aesthetics, the film follows a protagonist who, after catching a highly contagious virus, must abandon her work as a personal assistant to a demanding boss and her duties at home with a useless husband and two needy kids.
—Jamie Lang, Variety, 7 June 2025
While Kidman’s Masha is back, this time lording over a group of needy and neurotic folks in the Bavarian Alps, the dull and draggy new season (premiering May 21) has little of the humor and emotional weight that made the original worth watching.
—Kristen Baldwin, EW.com, 19 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for needy
Cite this Entry
“Needy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/needy. Accessed 23 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
needy
adjective
needier; neediest
1
: being in want : very poor
needy families
2
: marked by want of affection, attention, or emotional support
a tendency to be emotionally needy
neediness
noun
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