reliance

noun

re·​li·​ance ri-ˈlī-ən(t)s 

1

: the act of relying : the state of being reliant

2

: something or someone relied on

Synonyms of reliance

• anchor
• backbone
• dependence
• pillar

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

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

Word History

First Known Use

1606, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing reliance

• self-reliance

Rhymes for reliance

• science
• appliance
• compliance
• defiance
• geoscience
• neuroscience
• noncompliance
• pseudoscience

Kids Definition

reliance

noun

re·​li·​ance ri-ˈlī-ən(t)s 

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 

1

: the act of relying

reliance on a promise

2

: reliance interest at interest 1