reliable

adjective

re·li·able | \ ri-ˈlī-ə-bəl

Definition of reliable

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : suitable or fit to be relied on : dependable

2 : giving the same result on successive trials

reliable

noun

Definition of reliable (Entry 2 of 2)

: one that is reliable

Other Words from reliable Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Learn More about reliable

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Examples of reliable in a Sentence

Adjective

He's not very reliable. You can't always count on him to do what he says he'll do. We can't write a report without reliable data. We need more reliable information before we can take action.

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective

There isn’t a firm date for this just yet (Amazon lists September 5th, but that’s not entirely reliable), but N.K. Jemisin’s next novel is set for this fall. — Andrew Liptak, The Verge, "All the science fiction and fantasy books we’re looking forward to in 2019," 30 Dec. 2018 In areas that remained under Mr Assad’s control, electricity and water supplies are more reliable than in much of the Middle East. — The Economist, "How a victorious Bashar al-Assad is changing Syria," 28 June 2018 Of the four healthy outfielders, Springer is perhaps the most reliable — and comfortable — at all three positions. — Chandler Rome, Houston Chronicle, "Lineup changes force A.J. Hinch to shuffle Astros' outfield," 19 May 2018 Photo: kevin lamarque/Reuters If companies do decide to relocate supply chains away from China, Canada and Mexico are now obvious alternatives to the U.S., with reliable market access as well as trade deals elsewhere. — James Mackintosh, WSJ, "Trading on Uncertainty About Tariffs," 4 Dec. 2018 The change will start in Utah and Idaho and be instituted around the world by end of the year for places with reliable internet access, the church said. — Brady Mccombs, Fox News, "No more snail mail: Mormons to receive mission calls online," 6 Sep. 2018 The Council’s cap will hurt riders outside Manhattan who have come to rely on Uber because their communities have long been ignored by yellow taxis and do not have reliable access to public transit. — Andrew J. Hawkins, The Verge, "Uber and Lyft are facing a major crackdown in New York City," 27 July 2018 Locals are anxious to see the agency return to reliable service, said Loberg, the Tisbury Board of Selectmen member. — John Hilliard, BostonGlobe.com, "Mechanical issues cause Steamship Authority to cancel two trips Sunday morning," 8 July 2018 Federal officials say that would be in line with requirements but could leave NJ Transit with fewer resources to maintain reliable service. — Jason Laughlin, Philly.com, "After Philly crash, railroads got more time to install a key safety system. Three years later, some still lag behind," 3 July 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

The general public now, however, would see Mr. Trump’s generals as the reliables, the dependables, the sophisticates of the administration. — Peggy Noonan, WSJ, "Let Calm and Cool Trump ‘Fire and Fury’," 10 Aug. 2017 North Korea's weekend launch of an intermediate-range ballistic missile further demonstrated that the country is consistently trying to come up with new, better ways to keep its nuclear deterrent reliable and safe from attack. — Kyle Mizokami, Popular Mechanics, "What's Different About North Korea's Latest Missile Test," 13 Feb. 2017 Also submitted for our hilarity are such reliables as the pot-smoking old lady and the elaborate cake that will never reach the finale intact. — Jeannette Catsoulis, New York Times, "Review: At ‘Table 19,’ Random Wedding Guests Straining to Laugh," 2 Mar. 2017

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