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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:

As people grow older, the brain tends to place less emphasis on activity in the hippocampus and rely more on the frontal cortex.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 20, 2026

“This is about equity, about inclusivity, about making sure that we’re making the investments that make it easier for people to not rely on costly forms of transportation,” Nazarian said at the groundbreaking.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 20, 2026

White-ball captain Harry Brook says he has "learned a lot" as a captain and a person - and wants to be the player England fans rely on.

From BBC ● Oct. 19, 2026

Roughly half of households in Maine rely on heating oil, as do a quarter in Rhode Island, 20% in Massachusetts and 15% in New York.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 19, 2026

I had to stop for the night, and I couldn’t rely on the hope that I might find a farm or a village soon.

From "Rump: The (Fairly) True Story of Rumpelstilskin" by Liesl Shurtliff

Unlike traditional forensic DNA testing, which generally relies on a direct comparison between evidence and a known person, investigative genetic genealogy can identify distant genetic relatives of an unknown individual.

From BBC ● Oct. 20, 2026

More than 80% of people in Gaza are unemployed so most of the population relies on aid.

From BBC ● Oct. 19, 2026

Leovane, who said he relies on the revenue he earns through Airbnb to pay his bills, said he made about $11,000 last year.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 17, 2026

This method relies on a familiar property of light: scattering.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 17, 2026

She is so out there that it takes me a while to realize how versed she is in theater, how effective a teacher and director she is, and how deeply Volpe relies on her.

From "Drama High" by Michael Sokolove

The Journal’s analysis relied on detailed Medicaid billing records that reporters accessed under a research agreement with the federal government.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 21, 2026

Many schools relied on adjunct professors during the boom to manage the influx of computer-science students, but those schools that added tenured faculty could be in a tight spot.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 19, 2026

Most previous investigations have relied on animal experiments or studies comparing dietary habits and health outcomes across large groups of people.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 18, 2026

Melting snow provides water for the river, which is relied upon by more than 40 million people across seven U.S. states, tribal nations and Mexico.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 16, 2026

Foragers relied on dozens of species to survive, and could therefore weather difficult years even without stocks of preserved food.

From "Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind" by Yuval Noah Harari

One of the most important advantages of the new microscope is its ability to reveal cellular activity without relying on fluorescent markers.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 17, 2026

Until the Rams prioritize the position and stop relying on practice-squad castoffs, they will continue to undermine their own championship hopes.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 17, 2026

But some top officials gathered in Bangkok this week cautioned against relying too heavily on AI investment.

From Barron's ● Oct. 17, 2026

DBS expects the one-year benchmark lending rate to remain unchanged, with policymakers relying on targeted fiscal support rather than further rate cuts to sustain growth.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 16, 2026

I just keep relying on the trusty old period card.

From "I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter" by Erika L. Sánchez


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