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 Visitors volunteer by planting trees or making Hawaiian quilts for needy elders. — Kerri Westenberg, chicagotribune.com, "Celebrate a return to travel with these 7 must-see destinations," 28 Apr. 2021 Medicaid provides medical care to needy citizens and is mostly funded by the federal government but run by the states. — al, "The Tennessee Trap: How one state’s war on Medicaid fraud ensnares working moms in Alabama," 26 Apr. 2021 Lance also could go to Atlanta as Matt Ryan's understudy at No. 4; be the target of a needy team trading into the top 10; go to Denver at No. 9; or still be sitting in the green room in Cleveland when the Vikings are on the clock at 14. — Mark Craig, Star Tribune, "Small-town swag: NDSU's Trey Lance takes place among top quarterbacks in this year's NFL draft," 24 Apr. 2021 Many would choose the second option, the institute predicted, leaving the Title X program without enough providers to serve needy patients. — Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, "Column: A Trump-era attack on Planned Parenthood and women’s health comes to an end," 16 Apr. 2021 The wealth will be used to advance the gospel and to help the poor and needy. — The Rev. Mike Taylor, baltimoresun.com/maryland/carroll, "Taylor: America is spiritually at half-staff, but help is on the way | COMMENTARY," 16 Apr. 2021 Certainly, Yang’s proposed $2,000 a year, even concentrated at the most needy, would fail to cover the needs of New York City’s disadvantaged. — Milton Ezrati, Forbes, "A New Try With UBI: As Wrongheaded As Before," 15 Apr. 2021 Nirenberg also touted the millions of dollars — mostly from federal stimulus funds — the city has spent to help needy residents stay in their homes and small businesses keep their lights on as the pandemic ravaged the economy. — Joshua Fechter, San Antonio Express-News, "San Antonio mayoral candidates debate police reform, pandemic response," 9 Apr. 2021 The activists pushed back against migration fears and framed higher taxes as essential to help support needy New Yorkers, especially after the pandemic. — New York Times, "New York State Is Set to Raise Taxes on Those Earning Over $1 Million," 5 Apr. 2021

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.