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
Should endowment taxes increase, institutions may need to reduce their spending on helping financially needy students be able to attend college.
—Michael T. Nietzel, Forbes.com, 2 June 2025
Those people, Republicans say, are the truly needy.
—Nathaniel Weixel, The Hill, 18 May 2025
Sunny — perky, solicitous, a bit needy — was literally made to be loved, with a lollipop head, expressive anime eyes and an endearing voice (provided by Joanna Sotomura).
—James Poniewozik, New York Times, 14 May 2025
The memo adds that the boxes should go directly from farms to needy seniors.
—Andre Mouchard, Oc Register, 12 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for needy
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Michael T. Nietzel, Forbes.com, 2 June 2025
Those people, Republicans say, are the truly needy.
—Nathaniel Weixel, The Hill, 18 May 2025
Sunny — perky, solicitous, a bit needy — was literally made to be loved, with a lollipop head, expressive anime eyes and an endearing voice (provided by Joanna Sotomura).
—James Poniewozik, New York Times, 14 May 2025
The memo adds that the boxes should go directly from farms to needy seniors.
—Andre Mouchard, Oc Register, 12 May 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 9 Jun. 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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