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.

See Examples For:

neediest

The argument from supporters is that the neediest children are boxed out of the credit.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 13, 2026

“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

Here’s the dilemma: Fruits and vegetables are among the neediest of flora because they require lots of nutrients and water to produce the delicious, healthful foods we love to eat.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 8, 2025

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

From BBC ● Apr. 8, 2025

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