reliant

adjective

re·​li·​ant ri-ˈlī-ənt 

: having reliance on something or someone : dependent

reliantly adverb

Examples of reliant in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The West Coast is much more reliant on imports than other parts of the country. — Leslie Josephs, CNBC, 23 July 2026

Their retirement plans and pensions are invested in Silicon Valley stocks that could drop; their small businesses are reliant on access to credit that might get throttled. — Annie Lowrey, The Atlantic, 21 July 2026

But Argentine scientists who tested rats for the Andes hantavirus in the area recently ruled out Ushuaia as the source of the outbreak — to the relief of the Antarctic cruise hub heavily reliant on foreign tourism. — ABC News, 21 July 2026

Perhaps no team is as reliant on maintaining robust attendance, both this season and next. — Dennis Lin, New York Times, 21 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1849, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing reliant

• self-reliant

Rhymes for reliant

• client
• giant
• pliant
• scient
• compliant
• defiant
• suppliant
• noncompliant

Kids Definition

reliant

adjective

re·​li·​ant ri-ˈlī-ənt 

: having reliance on something or someone : trusting

reliant on the family for news

reliantly adverb