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Definitions

neediness

[nee-dee-nis] / ˈni di nɪs /
NOUN
poverty
Synonyms
STRONG
abjection aridity bankruptcy barrenness beggary dearth debt deficiency deficit depletion destitution difficulty distress emptiness exiguity famine hardship impecuniousness impoverishment inadequacy indigence insolvency insufficiency lack meagerness necessity need pass paucity pauperism pennilessness penuriousness penury pinch poorness privation reduction scarcity shortage starvation straits underdevelopment vacancy want
WEAK
impecuniosity necessitousness
Antonyms
STRONG
abundance adequacy advantage affluence benefit blessing comfort ease enough excess fill lot pleasure plenty profit satisfaction sufficiency surplus wealth

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

And what defines neediness, especially for families with children in college?

From MarketWatch • Jan. 29, 2026

Authorities such as James Serpell have suggested that these dogs’ neediness brings out our maternal instincts, Herzog noted.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 28, 2025

Without explicitly saying so, Goode reveals in Haddix and others a breed of human drawn by a dark neediness to these animals that nature designed to grow beyond their control.

From Salon • Aug. 18, 2024

Eden is a complicated mix of independence — she runs her own seemingly thriving business — and winsome but deep-seated neediness.

From Los Angeles Times • May 16, 2024

Her eyes are closed, her voice is pure neediness, pure woe.

From "Cat's Eye" by Margaret Atwood