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
Those investors were permitted to delay or eliminate paying taxes on capital gains by rolling their profits into needy parts of the country to develop real estate or build businesses.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 27 June 2025
So buy the best example available, because needy cars are challenged by a paucity of plentiful parts.
—Robert Ross, Robb Report, 13 June 2025
Currently, financially needy students benefit from subsidized Stafford loans that don’t accrue interest until after graduation.
—Shahar Ziv, Forbes.com, 6 May 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for needy
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The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 27 June 2025
So buy the best example available, because needy cars are challenged by a paucity of plentiful parts.
—Robert Ross, Robb Report, 13 June 2025
Currently, financially needy students benefit from subsidized Stafford loans that don’t accrue interest until after graduation.
—Shahar Ziv, Forbes.com, 6 May 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for needy
Cite this Entry
“Needy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/needy. Accessed 4 Jul. 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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