reliance

noun

re·​li·​ance ri-ˈlī-ən(t)s How to pronounce reliance (audio)
Synonyms of reliance
1
: the act of relying : the state of being reliant
2
: something or someone relied on

Synonyms of reliance

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Examples of reliance in a Sentence

he's been the family's foremost reliance in times of trouble many times a baby's reliance on her parents
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The findings underscore the tension in Africa’s biggest economy between its climate commitments and its reliance on Sasol — widely recognized as the world’s largest single-site emitter of greenhouse gases — for macroeconomic stability. — Tiisetso Motsoeneng, semafor.com, 2 Sep. 2026 But this farm in landlocked Burkina Faso is part of national efforts to reduce overall reliance on imports and adapt to an ever-harsher climate in the dry heat of Africa’s Sahel region. — ABC News, 1 Sep. 2026 That pain led to a dependence on pain medication, and my efforts to get off those medications led to an over-reliance on alcohol. — Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026 And, as Romo notes, dealing with those sacrifices in the years after leaving the gridiron can sometimes lead to destructive choices – such as an over-reliance on substances that mask the pain. — Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 1 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for reliance

Word History

First Known Use

1606, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of reliance was in 1606

Phrases Containing reliance

Rhymes for reliance

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Browse Nearby Words

reliably
reliance
reliant
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Cite this Entry

“Reliance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reliance. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

reliance

noun
re·​li·​ance ri-ˈlī-ən(t)s How to pronounce reliance (audio)
1
: the act of relying
2
: the condition or attitude of one who relies : dependence
3
: something or someone relied on

Legal Definition

reliance

noun
re·​li·​ance ri-ˈlī-əns How to pronounce reliance (audio)
1
: the act of relying
reliance on a promise
2
: reliance interest at interest 1

More from Merriam-Webster on reliance

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about reliance

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