reliant

adjective

re·​li·​ant ri-ˈlī-ənt How to pronounce reliant (audio)
: having reliance on something or someone : dependent
reliantly adverb

Examples of reliant in a Sentence

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 Pentagon selected several contractors to build the satellites, so the military is not reliant on a single company. Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 11 Sep. 2025 The Russian army, having shown itself moderately adaptable to modern warfare, will nonetheless be gutted of equipment, bereft of its best cadres, and reliant on foreign suppliers. Jeremy Shapiro, The Atlantic, 10 Sep. 2025 But Sudan and Egypt, both heavily reliant on the Nile’s waters for irrigation and electricity, have said the dam threatens national security, claims that Addis Ababa has rejected. Jeronimo Gonzalez, semafor.com, 10 Sep. 2025 Conventional synthetic fertilizers are based on a century-old process that’s heavily reliant on fossil fuels. Bloomberg, Mercury News, 10 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for reliant

Word History

First Known Use

1849, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of reliant was in 1849

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Cite this Entry

“Reliant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reliant. Accessed 13 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

reliant

adjective
re·​li·​ant ri-ˈlī-ənt How to pronounce reliant (audio)
: having reliance on something or someone : trusting
reliant on the family for news
reliantly adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on reliant

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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