reliance

noun

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

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.
Long-term reliance on substitutes is not a sustainable solution and raises important questions about instructional quality and compliance. Mercury News & East Bay Times Editorial Boards, Mercury News, 26 May 2026 The sweeping manifesto is about safeguarding humanity in an era of increasing reliance on artificial intelligence. Nicole Winfield, Los Angeles Times, 25 May 2026 This reliance on high-energy processing and rigid programming fundamentally limits operation in unpredictable, real-world settings. Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 25 May 2026 Still, Bryan Abreu’s stuff is not improving and the reliance on a select few leverage relievers is unsustainable across the next 108 games. Chandler Rome, New York Times, 25 May 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Reliance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reliance. Accessed 28 May. 2026.

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

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