needy

adjective

\ 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.

Other Words from needy Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about needy

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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

More often, there has been a lack of transparency, along with the brazen, albeit legal, gaming of the program to take advantage of a break that comes for projects done in what are supposed to be needy areas. — Tom Benning, Dallas News, "Trump takes aim at 'golden visa' program that's pumped hundreds of millions of dollars in investment into Texas," 24 Aug. 2019 The injury cast a shadow over everything: his predraft process, the wide receiver-needy Ravens’ investment in him, his absence from offseason workouts and the start of training camp. — Jonas Shaffer, baltimoresun.com, "Finally on field, Marquise Brown shows potential in Ravens’ weather-shortened 26-15 preseason win vs. Eagles," 23 Aug. 2019 Spending time with certain people, too, like difficult family members or needy friends, can also get the stress hormones flowing. — Marisa Lascala, Good Housekeeping, "How to Keep Your Cool Around Your Kids When You're Ready to Blow, According to a Clinical Social Worker," 19 Aug. 2019 Critics say the rule is already causing needy immigrants to forgo health care and nutritional aid. — Jason Deparle, New York Times, "How Stephen Miller Seized the Moment to Battle Immigration," 17 Aug. 2019 New England, New Orleans, Dallas and the L.A. Rams are three teams that corner-needy clubs have been eyeing as potential trade partners. — Albert Breer, SI.com, "In Washington and Miami, Who Will Be the Starting Quarterbacks?," 15 Aug. 2019 Ohio Medicaid is a program for the medically and financially needy. — Laura Hancock, cleveland.com, "Ohio Medicaid gets $100 million with aim to improve mental health care," 2 Aug. 2019 Hilton employees collect hotel guests’ old soap, then sanitize and recycle it into bars for needy communities, while diverting over 1.5 million pounds of the substance from landfills. — Hanna Flanagan, PEOPLE.com, "Holiday Inn Will Stop Stocking Travel-Size Toiletries in Favor of Bulk-Size Bathroom Amenities," 31 July 2019 That's the accusation being made against a private equity firm that bought Hahnemann University Hospital, which serves Philly's neediest residents. — Doug Criss, CNN, "5 things to know for July 30: Capital One, Gilroy victims, Pakistan, Italy stabbing," 30 July 2019

These 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.