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
Synonyms
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
Assuming that number is greater than three is naive and guilty of taking him for granted.
Don’t act needy.
—Troy Renck, The Denver Post, 30 Jan. 2025
President Trump's flurry of orders restricting immigration and promising mass deportations violate core Christian principles of caring for the poor and needy, religious leaders in multiple denominations said.
—April Rubin, Axios, 22 Jan. 2025
Shawn became a mentor to Michaels; both had to contend with corralling the swirling egos of needy creative types while meeting a regular weekly deadline.
—Susan Morrison, The New Yorker, 13 Jan. 2025
As Jon, Luc Clopton sports in winning fashion Larson’s gentle flop of hair and a needy, but self-deprecating nature.
—Christopher Smith, Orange County Register, 3 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for needy 
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Troy Renck, The Denver Post, 30 Jan. 2025
President Trump's flurry of orders restricting immigration and promising mass deportations violate core Christian principles of caring for the poor and needy, religious leaders in multiple denominations said.
—April Rubin, Axios, 22 Jan. 2025
Shawn became a mentor to Michaels; both had to contend with corralling the swirling egos of needy creative types while meeting a regular weekly deadline.
—Susan Morrison, The New Yorker, 13 Jan. 2025
As Jon, Luc Clopton sports in winning fashion Larson’s gentle flop of hair and a needy, but self-deprecating nature.
—Christopher Smith, Orange County Register, 3 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for needy
Dictionary Entries Near needy
Cite this Entry
“Needy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/needy. Accessed 20 Feb. 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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