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
An 83-year-old former pastor and food bank director has been sentenced to 12 years in prison for charitable theft and patronizing prostitution after being found guilty July 31 of misusing donations meant to serve needy residents.
—Katie Nixon, The Tennessean, 5 Aug. 2025
But, if people come to believe or experience that the country’s poor, needy, disabled or elderly are worse off because safety-net programs were sacrificed to fund tax cuts for the upper class, will the tax cuts matter?
—Terina Allen, Forbes.com, 4 July 2025
After wishes are granted, remaining funds assist other needy people throughout the year.
—Jeff Suess, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025
These routine redeterminations would ensure Medicaid benefits go only to those who still qualify—preserving access for the truly needy while reducing waste.
—Sally Pipes, Forbes.com, 30 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for needy
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Katie Nixon, The Tennessean, 5 Aug. 2025
But, if people come to believe or experience that the country’s poor, needy, disabled or elderly are worse off because safety-net programs were sacrificed to fund tax cuts for the upper class, will the tax cuts matter?
—Terina Allen, Forbes.com, 4 July 2025
After wishes are granted, remaining funds assist other needy people throughout the year.
—Jeff Suess, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025
These routine redeterminations would ensure Medicaid benefits go only to those who still qualify—preserving access for the truly needy while reducing waste.
—Sally Pipes, Forbes.com, 30 July 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 20 Aug. 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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