dependence

noun

de·pen·dence | \ di-ˈpen-dən(t)s

variants: or less commonly dependance

Definition of dependence

1 : the quality or state of being dependent especially : the quality or state of being influenced or determined by or subject to another

2 : reliance, trust

3 : one that is relied on

4a : drug addiction developed a dependence on painkillers

b : habituation sense 2b

Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about dependence

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Examples of dependence in a Sentence

The company was hurt by its dependence on government loans. Our dependence upon foreign oil makes our economy vulnerable. a harmful dependence on foreign oil

Recent Examples on the Web

Australia never fully terminated its dependence on British monarchy and remains a member of the Commonwealth of Nations. — Rick Noack, The Seattle Times, "Australia tried its own government shutdown in 1975. The queen was not amused and it never happened again.," 2 Jan. 2019 Still, there’s no doubt that the industry as a whole is heading to electrification, a good thing as the world lessens its dependence on cars and looks to combat climate change. — Megan Barber, Curbed, "World’s first fully electric RV will debut in 2019," 14 Dec. 2018 She's spoken about wanting to play more by feel and lessening her dependence on mechanics, which sounds like a solid strategy. — Daniel Rapaport, SI.com, "FORE Questions: How Can the Zurich Classic Be Improved?," 30 Apr. 2018 Moving from one browser to two already means that the worst of the non-standard code and dependence on implementation quirks must be addressed. — Peter Bright, Ars Technica, "Google isn’t the company that we should have handed the Web over to," 17 Dec. 2018 Standing up to Mr Trump feels intoxicating, but Europe’s options are limited by its own divisions and dependence. — The Economist, "Europe has few good options for dealing with Donald Trump," 17 May 2018 This doom loop supposedly can be broken only with a new round of regulations of bank balance sheets to free them from financial dependence on their sovereigns. — Joseph C. Sternberg, WSJ, "Italy’s ‘Doom Loops,’ Imagined and Real," 3 Jan. 2019 The new law also dovetails with the monarchy’s ambitious economic changes that aim to wean Saudi Arabia, OPEC’s top producer, from dependence on oil and to diversify the economy — shifts that require women to be workers and consumers. — Margaret Coker, New York Times, "Saudi Women Can Drive, but Here’s the Real Roadblock," 22 June 2018 Turkey has plans for 80 new power stations to double its coal capacity and reduce dependence on imports. — Rupert Darwall, WSJ, "Defeat in the Air at the Climate Conference," 18 Dec. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'dependence.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.