relied; relying
1
: to be dependent
the system on which we rely for water
2
: to have confidence based on experience
someone you can rely on
Examples of rely in a Sentence
rigorously tested the rope before starting out, for the rock climbers would be relying on it with their very lives
Recent Examples on the Web
Churches still rely on earlier calculations of the moon phases as well as its set definition of the spring equinox, which can place Easter on a date different from what is astronomically accurate.
—
Carlie Procell, USA Today, 29 Mar. 2026
The night of the crash, investigators say the Black Hawk crew was relying on what's called visual separation, literally just looking out the window to avoid nearby passenger jets.
—Sharyn Alfonsi, CBS News, 29 Mar. 2026
While trimming food waste generally is a welcome change, the new efficiency threatens to choke down an essential pipeline for charities that have come to rely on Big Food’s edible waste as a way to feed tens of millions of hungry people, no questions asked.
—Andre Mouchard, Oc Register, 29 Mar. 2026
Analysts also note that relying solely on the existing missile defense network is becoming less effective, as the number and quality of potential threats continue to rise.
—Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 29 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rely
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Carlie Procell, USA Today, 29 Mar. 2026
The night of the crash, investigators say the Black Hawk crew was relying on what's called visual separation, literally just looking out the window to avoid nearby passenger jets.
—Sharyn Alfonsi, CBS News, 29 Mar. 2026
While trimming food waste generally is a welcome change, the new efficiency threatens to choke down an essential pipeline for charities that have come to rely on Big Food’s edible waste as a way to feed tens of millions of hungry people, no questions asked.
—Andre Mouchard, Oc Register, 29 Mar. 2026
Analysts also note that relying solely on the existing missile defense network is becoming less effective, as the number and quality of potential threats continue to rise.
—Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 29 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rely
Cite this Entry
“Rely.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rely. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
rely
verb
re·ly
ri-ˈlī 
relied; relying
1
: to have confidence based on experience
someone you can rely on
2
: to be dependent
the system on which we rely for water
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