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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:

The group is developing a framework to evaluate credit-rating providers, which insurers rely on to determine regulatory capital requirements.

From The Wall Street Journal Sep. 4, 2026

“Do not simply rely on your cellphone or Garmin, and stop to verify that you are on the correct route often.”

From Los Angeles Times Sep. 3, 2026

Moreover, if energy demands place too much pressure on the grid or there is a power outage, data centres, like in Lane Cove, will rely on backup diesel generators.

From BBC Sep. 3, 2026

That could derail retirement plans, especially for those who have used their full estimated benefits to determine how much money they can rely on every month in retirement alongside any withdrawals from their retirement savings.

From MarketWatch Sep. 2, 2026

“There is already chaos! It is just that it’s currently a chaos that humans are able to ignore. The creatures—creatures who rely on the glimourie—they are not afforded that luxury!”

From "Impossible Creatures" by Katherine Rundell

Violence in those waters has also led to disruptions for the Caspian Pipeline Consortium, which Kazakhstan relies on to export its oil.

From The Wall Street Journal Sep. 5, 2026

The effect relies on the same basic behavior that can cause the bottom edge of a cut T-shirt to curl upward.

From Science Daily Sep. 4, 2026

AI infrastructure may be particularly sensitive because it relies on high-volume, high-speed data transfers.

From BBC Sep. 3, 2026

Generative AI relies on underlying patterns from existing data to predict and produce new outputs, rather than just copying or sorting existing information.

From Los Angeles Times Sep. 3, 2026

The prince who relies entirely upon their words comes to ruin, finding himself stripped naked of other preparations.

From "The Prince" by Niccolò Machiavelli

“Are those little streams that we’ve relied on all these years going to change so that there’s no water for the cows?” he said.

From Los Angeles Times Sep. 5, 2026

Douglass relied instead on an interpretive rule: Where constitutional language permits more than one plausible meaning, choose the one favoring liberty.

From The Wall Street Journal Sep. 4, 2026

Sir Sadiq Khan claimed the strategic case relied on outdated evidence that "fails to reflect current climate laws and travel habits".

From BBC Sep. 3, 2026

Michael Gerrard, a climate law professor at Columbia University, told AFP the ruling heavily relied on the "preemption question."

From Barron's Sep. 1, 2026

To make matters worse, dramatic technological changes revolutionized the workplace—changes that eliminated many of the jobs that less skilled workers once relied upon for their survival.

From "The New Jim Crow" by Michelle Alexander

The most remote communities are relying on army helicopter flights for supplies, and villages are still struggling for fuel and electricity.

From BBC Sep. 2, 2026

They say Robinhood is creating more ways to grow revenue, rather than just relying on stronger retail trading.

From The Wall Street Journal Sep. 2, 2026

A tool to collect data independently, rather than relying solely on companies' own declarations, is under development, Lefevre's office said.

From Barron's Aug. 31, 2026

But analysts have expressed doubts about relying on heavy Venezuelan crude for the SPR, which is set up largely to store what’s known as light, sweet crude.

From MarketWatch Aug. 31, 2026

Perhaps Lola was relying on the twins to wreck the play innocently, and needed only to stand back and observe.

From "Atonement" by Ian McEwan




Vocabulary lists containing rely


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