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
His positive traits — quick processor and high football IQ as the result of being a coach’s son — could force a quarterback-needy team to take a chance on him during the later rounds.
—Miami Herald, 28 Jan. 2026
Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza is the presumptive first overall pick, and the QB-needy Vegas Raiders hold the top selection.
—Mike Defabo, New York Times, 27 Jan. 2026
Smart entrepreneurs create magnetic pull instead of needy push.
—Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 26 Jan. 2026
Your mom friend is overly needy.
—Hannah Nwoko, Parents, 25 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for needy
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Miami Herald, 28 Jan. 2026
Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza is the presumptive first overall pick, and the QB-needy Vegas Raiders hold the top selection.
—Mike Defabo, New York Times, 27 Jan. 2026
Smart entrepreneurs create magnetic pull instead of needy push.
—Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 26 Jan. 2026
Your mom friend is overly needy.
—Hannah Nwoko, Parents, 25 Jan. 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 7 Feb. 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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