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
The public benefits charge covers everything from energy efficiency programs, solar and electric vehicle incentives, financial aid to needy customers, and the purchase of renewable and carbon-free electricity.
—Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 29 Mar. 2025
Local officials also break the law, such as when health officials in Mississippi misspent federal funds for needy people on a volleyball stadium.
—Kevin R. Kosar, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 21 Mar. 2025
Amor Ministry will use its grant to provide three months of food to 450 needy families in Baja.
—Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Mar. 2025
The Education Department enforces an array of anti-discrimination laws and campus safety rules and distributes funding to assist needy students.
—Elizabeth Robinson, NBC News, 12 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for needy
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Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 29 Mar. 2025
Local officials also break the law, such as when health officials in Mississippi misspent federal funds for needy people on a volleyball stadium.
—Kevin R. Kosar, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 21 Mar. 2025
Amor Ministry will use its grant to provide three months of food to 450 needy families in Baja.
—Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Mar. 2025
The Education Department enforces an array of anti-discrimination laws and campus safety rules and distributes funding to assist needy students.
—Elizabeth Robinson, NBC News, 12 Mar. 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 12 Apr. 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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