Synonyms of rely

rely

verb

ri-ˈlī 

as in to depend

to place reliance or trust

rigorously tested the rope before starting out, for the rock climbers would be relying on it with their very lives

Synonyms & Similar Words

• depend
• count
• lean
• stand on
• trust
• look to
• call on
• calculate
• bank on
• reckon
• figure on
• confide
• entrust
• commit

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• suspect
• question
• distrust
• mistrust

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of rely

Parents can no longer rely on grades to gauge their child’s actual knowledge, but that’s also true in many wealthy school districts and even in some private schools, where grade inflation is rampant. — Jay Caspian Kang, New Yorker, 29 Sep. 2026

Transactions have slowed, and the conventional financing that housing markets rely on has become harder to execute. — Wesley Carpenter, Forbes.com, 29 Sep. 2026

The commission said this plan allows the county to prohibit or scrutinize developments that don't rely on sustainable water sources. — Holly Santman, CBS News, 29 Sep. 2026

Last season, the Lakers relied on vocal veteran leaders such as LeBron James, 41, and Marcus Smart, 32. — Los Angeles Times, 29 Sep. 2026