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 of rely

• 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

The fee applies per parcel, not per retailer, meaning platforms that rely on splitting orders into multiple shipments could face significantly higher costs. —Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 13 Dec. 2025

Security tools that rely on file scanning miss it, since the shellcode never appears as a standalone file. —Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 13 Dec. 2025

Warm-mist humidifiers rely on steam, but the heated water can pose a burn risk to children and pets. —Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 13 Dec. 2025

While Mansfield relied on its rushing attack, Fordyce went to the air to make a late push. —Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Arkansas Online, 13 Dec. 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