To save this word, you'll need to log in.
\ ˈnē-dē 
\
\needier; neediest
Definition of needy
1 : being in want : poverty-stricken needy families … where needy children from the community could come to get free, nutritious meals.— Liza N. Burby
2 : marked by want of affection, attention, or emotional support
emotionally needy The girl was needy for her mother's affection.
Keep scrolling for more
Synonyms & Antonyms for needy
Synonyms
- beggared,
- beggarly,
- broke,
- destitute,
- dirt-poor,
- down-and-out,
- famished,
- hard up,
- impecunious,
- impoverished,
- indigent,
- necessitous,
- needful,
- pauperized,
- penniless,
- penurious,
- poor,
- poverty-stricken,
- skint
- [chiefly British],
- threadbare
Antonyms
- affluent,
- deep-pocketed,
- fat,
- fat-cat,
- flush,
- moneyed
- (also monied),
- opulent,
- rich,
- silk-stocking,
- wealthy,
- well-heeled,
- well-off,
- well-to-do
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 In addition to the sit-down dinners, volunteers will deliver holiday meals to needy residents in Quincy, Milton, Weymouth, Braintree, Randolph, Holbrook, Hingham, Hull, and Cohasset.
—
BostonGlobe.com, "In addition to the sit-down dinners, volunteers will deliver holiday meals to needy residents in Quincy, Milton, Weymouth, Braintree, Randolph, Holbrook, Hingham, Hull, and Cohasset.," 21 Nov. 2019 An idea that drew bipartisan support — notably from Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J. — the program is supposed to incentivize investors to direct their capital to needy areas.
—
Justin Elliott, ProPublica, "A Trump Tax Break To Help The Poor Went To a Rich GOP Donor’s Superyacht Marina," 18 Nov. 2019 Francis said in his homily, with poor people among those accorded seats in the basilica for the Mass.
Francis later invited hundreds of needy, including migrants, to dine with him in a Vatican hall.
—
Frances D'emilio, Twin Cities, "Pope decries that ‘greed of a few’ worsens poverty of others," 17 Nov. 2019 An idea that drew bipartisan support — notably from Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J. — the program is supposed to incentivize investors to direct their capital to needy areas.
—
Justin Elliott, sun-sentinel.com, "Huizenga Jr. received Trump tax break, meant for poor, for his West Palm Beach superyacht marina," 14 Nov. 2019 Unfortunately, the neediest farmers are not so savvy.
—
The Economist, "Better seeds could help African farmers grow far more," 28 Sep. 2019 Through its one-for-one program, Toms has donated more than 93 million pairs of new shoes to needy kids in developing countries since 2006; the company is now involved in similar ventures with eyewear and coffee.
—
Donnovan Andrews, Fortune, "5 Ways Companies Can Show Their Commitment to Improving the World," 24 Sep. 2019 The D’Addario Foundation is a leader in finding and partnering with the highest quality music programs in the neediest areas.
—
Melinda Newman, Billboard, "Mandy Moore & My Morning Jacket's Jim James to Play D'Addario Foundation's Back 2 School Benefit," 17 Sep. 2019 Phair has always been unsentimental and boldly candid, particularly about the ways that needy and insecure lovers can mess with each others’ minds.
—
John Adamian, courant.com, "Liz Phair, following release of new single, coming to College Street," 8 Nov. 2019
See MoreThese example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'needy.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Keep scrolling for more
Keep scrolling for more
More Definitions for needy
needy
adjectiveEnglish Language Learners Definition of needy
: not having enough money, food, etc., to live properly
: needing a lot of attention, affection, or emotional support
See the full definition for needy in the English Language Learners Dictionary
needy
adjective\ ˈnē-dē \
\needier; neediest
Kids Definition of needy
: very poor
Keep scrolling for more
Comments on needy
What made you want to look up needy? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Test Your Vocabulary
Semantic Drift Quiz
- Which of the following was once a synonym for fun?
Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?
TAKE THE QUIZ
Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.
TAKE THE QUIZLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridgedWords at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games
Share needy
Time Traveler for needy
The first known use of needy was in the 12th century
See more words from the same century