Synonyms

neediness

American

[nee-dee-nis] / ˈni di nɪs /

noun

a condition of want or need; poverty; indigence.

neediness British

/ ˈniːdɪnɪs /

noun

the state of being needy; poverty

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of neediness

First recorded in 1350–1400, neediness is from the Middle English word nedynes. See needy, -ness

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.

See Examples For:

neediness

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

But it quickly becomes deeper and more complex, as Donny’s own behavior becomes erratic, fueled by self-loathing and neediness rooted in shame.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 14, 2024

I'm just reveling in the glory of not having to hear the neediness and impotence of my own voice.

From "Will Grayson, Will Grayson" by John Green and David Levithan

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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023