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

Funding for a key food aid program relied on by millions of mothers and infants will likely run out of money in the coming days. —Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 11 Oct. 2025

The Panthers are relying on their entire team to fill Barkov’s void, but Lundell is putting the onus on himself to be one of the main guys to step up. —Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 11 Oct. 2025

Until then, the museum had relied largely on the generosity of wealthy patrons donating the contents of their wardrobe. —Joelle Diderich, Footwear News, 11 Oct. 2025

Papal elections, by contrast, are infrequent and rely on votes from cardinals who have sworn an oath of secrecy. —Jack Murtagh, Scientific American, 11 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