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Definitions
Trivia Time
Which word does not share the same Latin root as rely?

rely

[ri-lahy] / rɪˈlaɪ /


Frequently Asked Questions

What is another word for rely?
The closest synonym for rely in many contexts is depend. Rely is often used in the verb phrase rely on, and the phrases depend on and count on often mean the same thing. Saying that you rely on a person suggests an element of confidence or trust—it means that you know you can depend on them without them letting you down. In this sense, a person or thing on which you rely can be described as reliable or dependable. Saying that an outcome relies on something means that it’s necessary for the outcome to happen, as in Our success will rely on preparation and a little bit of luck. The phrases hinge on and rest on can be used in the same way.
Are rely and support synonyms?
Rely and support are often used in the same contexts, but they aren’t synonyms. Instead, they’re more like the two different ends of the same interaction: typically, if you’re relying on someone, they’re supporting you. The support is what’s being relied on.

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:

“Those rely on Cuban oil and there’s enough production in Cuba to meet their needs,” said Jorge Piñon, a Cuban energy expert at the University of Texas.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 13, 2026

"A useful visual prosthesis cannot rely on a fixed recipe," Beyeler said.

From Science Daily ● Nov. 12, 2026

That would leave you less money in years to come to rely upon.

From MarketWatch ● Nov. 12, 2026

It’s real, and we can rely on that and know that miracles are possible.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 12, 2026

Indeed, as the summer passed, I came to rely more on them—and their relationship with Josh—than on my own judgment.

From This Side of Wild by Gary Paulsen

The stakes were too high, they said, the entire AI industry relies too heavily on Nvidia chips to break a winning formula.

From BBC ● Nov. 12, 2026

The canal relies on water stored in two reservoirs to function, and low levels forced authorities to reduce the number of daily transits from 36 to 32 in September.

From Barron's ● Nov. 9, 2026

And while the facts of this oft-told story are, for the most part, accurate, “I Am Rocky” feels too neat, a movie that relies on our love for “Rocky,” the movie and the character.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 6, 2026

Despite its planned pivot to new technologies, Tesla’s revenue still mostly relies on automotive sales.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 6, 2026

His friends rely on him, and he relies on them—the simple balance on which so many lives are built.

From "Every Day" by David Levithan

Because the analysis relied on reports submitted voluntarily to the FDA, it cannot establish whether the products themselves were responsible for the cardiovascular events.

From Science Daily ● Nov. 11, 2026

He said he had provided reports to a Chinese company, which he believed had clients seeking to develop trading links with the UK, and those reports contained no classified information and relied on public sources.

From BBC ● Nov. 11, 2026

Trump, who has relied on Huang as an adviser on AI, called him "an honorable guy" and said Huang told him he had no idea the woman was a spy.

From Barron's ● Nov. 11, 2026

Historically, these programs have relied on federal funding like Perkins V, the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act.

From MarketWatch ● Nov. 9, 2026

All her life, she’d relied on others to make a way for her, to help her figure out her next steps.

From "Beasts of Prey" by Ayana Gray

Rather than relying on dark matter and dark energy, the model proposes that some of the effects attributed to these mysterious components could result from changes over time in fundamental physical constants.

From Science Daily ● Nov. 11, 2026

For a group of blind and partially-sighted people, an audio-based drama workshop is giving them the chance to explore performance - without relying on visual cues.

From BBC ● Nov. 11, 2026

A new analysis from a consortium of climate scientists shows how countries are relying less on fossil fuels to power growth.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 11, 2026

The company has disclosed relying on 34 lobbyists this year, and it has indicated that it has lobbied on the Chip Security Act and the AI Overwatch Act.

From MarketWatch ● Nov. 10, 2026

“That’s all. I’m relying on you three, remember that.”

From "The Long-Lost Home" by Maryrose Wood


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