neediest

ADJECTIVE

deprived, impoverished

Synonyms

STRONGEST

destitute disadvantaged indigent penniless poor poverty-stricken underprivileged

STRONG

down-and-out flat

WEAK

beggared dead broke dirt poor down at heel down to last cent impecunious necessitous penurious unprosperous

Antonyms

STRONGEST

affluent lucky privileged prosperous rich wealthy

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.

“Who will teach the children in the neediest schools? The communities will suffer. It’s cyclical, and it’s scary.”

From Salon • Mar. 17, 2026

However, its job market has long been unstable and the city is ranked among the neediest in the US.

From BBC • Apr. 8, 2025

He gained enemies along the way but also followers who cast him as a Dickensian hero willing to fight for the neediest.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 9, 2024

The three main federal programs for the neediest renters — public housing, Section 8, and Housing Choice Vouchers — serve 287,000 fewer households than they did at their peak in 2004, a new analysis shows.

From New York Times • Dec. 19, 2023

Fidelito was the neediest kid in the room, and so of course everyone pushed him around.

From "The House of the Scorpion" by Nancy Farmer