rely

verb

re·​ly ri-ˈlī 

relied; relying

intransitive verb

1

: to be dependent

the system on which we rely for water

2

: to have confidence based on experience

someone you can rely on

relier

ri-ˈlī(-ə)r 

noun

Synonyms

• depend
• count

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

At the same time, artificial intelligence, which relies less on animal test subjects, has become increasingly important in speeding that development. —Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy, USA Today, 18 Oct. 2025

Give your slow-cooker the night off because this fan-favorite chili relies on the Instant Pot for a quick and delicious option. —Nellah Bailey McGough, Southern Living, 18 Oct. 2025

Without showing the violence, the show’s perspective of Gacy’s menace relies heavily on your physical performance of him. —Hunter Ingram, Variety, 18 Oct. 2025

At the same time, governments are increasingly relying on industrial policy to promote domestic production and strategic sectors, triggering a global subsidy race that is reshaping competitive dynamics. —Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English relien to rally, from Anglo-French relier to retie, gather, rally, from Latin religare to tie out of the way, from re- + ligare to tie — more at ligature

First Known Use

1574, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing rely

• rely on/upon

Rhymes for rely

• apply
• awry
• belie
• bely
• bigeye
• bonsai
• buckeye
• comply
• coxae
• decry
• defy
• deny

Kids 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

Legal Definition

rely

intransitive verb

re·​ly

relied; relying

: to depend with confidence : place faith