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Needy vs Selfish - What's the difference?

needy | selfish |

As adjectives the difference between needy and selfish

is that needy is in need, poor while selfish is holding one’s self-interest as the standard for decision making.

needy

English

Adjective

(er)
  • In need, poor.
  • Needy people want to give too, but have few material goods to offer.
  • * 29 February 2012 , Aidan Foster-Carter, BBC News North Korea: The denuclearisation dance resumes [http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-17213948]
  • Such monitoring has often been a sticking point in the past, amid fears that food aid might be diverted to the Northern elite - or its military - rather than the needy.
  • Desiring constant affirmation, lacking in self confidence
  • "It's emotionally exhausting to be around her because she's so needy ."

    Antonyms

    * ("desiring constant affirmation): confident

    Synonyms

    * ("in need"): See also

    Derived terms

    * neediness

    selfish

    English

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Holding one’s self-interest as the standard for decision making.
  • * 1997 , John Peniel, The Children Of The Law Of One & The Lost Teachings Of Atlantis , chapter 10, page 127
  • “We all have both a selfish separate self, and an Inner Being that is One with the Universal Spirit. In this sense, every human has a sort of ‘split personality’. We are all kind of what you call ‘schitzy’ with these two sides, these two people living within us. And they are in total opposition. The free will dictates which of these two sides will have its way in our life, at every given moment.”
  • Having regard for oneself above others’ well-being.
  • *{{quote-book, year=1922, author=(Ben Travers)
  • , chapter=5, title= A Cuckoo in the Nest , passage=The most rapid and most seductive transition in all human nature is that which attends the palliation of a ravenous appetite.

    Usage notes

    * Said of people, motives, desires, acts, etc.

    Synonyms

    * egoistic * egotistic * egotistical * self-centered * greedy

    Antonyms

    * altruistic * philanthropic * selfless * unselfish

    Derived terms

    * selfishly * selfishness

    See also

    * self-serving

    Anagrams

    *