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
But needy, possessive Nikki smothers Bear, and what plays out is a horrifying tale of obsessive love gone wrong — sour, curdled and violent.
—Katie Walsh, Twin Cities, 23 May 2026
Each person gets a single scene but feels utterly real, with Will Dagger a standout as the cousin, leaking needy bravado, and Constance Shulman very funny as the funeral director, determined to stage a party for a host who refuses to throw one.
—Emily Nussbaum, New Yorker, 21 May 2026
Jimmy is immediately struck by this younger, virile, needier man when Vincent asks him to help move a piece of furniture in.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 20 May 2026
The backstory The original estate goes back to 1912, when the Tudor-style mansion was built for Walter Ladd and his heiress wife, socialite/philanthropist Kate Macy Ladd, who soon opened a convalescent facility on the estate for sick and needy women.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for needy
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Katie Walsh, Twin Cities, 23 May 2026
Each person gets a single scene but feels utterly real, with Will Dagger a standout as the cousin, leaking needy bravado, and Constance Shulman very funny as the funeral director, determined to stage a party for a host who refuses to throw one.
—Emily Nussbaum, New Yorker, 21 May 2026
Jimmy is immediately struck by this younger, virile, needier man when Vincent asks him to help move a piece of furniture in.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 20 May 2026
The backstory The original estate goes back to 1912, when the Tudor-style mansion was built for Walter Ladd and his heiress wife, socialite/philanthropist Kate Macy Ladd, who soon opened a convalescent facility on the estate for sick and needy women.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for needy
Cite this Entry
“Needy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/needy. Accessed 29 May. 2026.
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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