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
Young comedians, usually out of insecurity, tend to be in a needy rush to move to the next punch line during their act.
—Hershal Pandya, Vulture, 30 Mar. 2026
What should talent-needy Tennessee do?
—Dianna Russini, New York Times, 30 Mar. 2026
The city’s neediest neighborhoods always end up on the downside.
—Laura Washington, Chicago Tribune, 29 Mar. 2026
According to Ehrman, Jesus’s teachings universalized earlier Jewish ethics by extending the duty to care for the poor, oppressed, and needy beyond one’s own community to include all people.
—Big Think, 26 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for needy
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Hershal Pandya, Vulture, 30 Mar. 2026
What should talent-needy Tennessee do?
—Dianna Russini, New York Times, 30 Mar. 2026
The city’s neediest neighborhoods always end up on the downside.
—Laura Washington, Chicago Tribune, 29 Mar. 2026
According to Ehrman, Jesus’s teachings universalized earlier Jewish ethics by extending the duty to care for the poor, oppressed, and needy beyond one’s own community to include all people.
—Big Think, 26 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for needy
Cite this Entry
“Needy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/needy. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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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