reliance

noun

re·​li·​ance ri-ˈlī-ən(t)s 

1

: the act of relying : the state of being reliant

2

: something or someone relied on

Synonyms of reliance

• anchor
• backbone
• dependence
• pillar

Examples of reliance in a Sentence

he's been the family's foremost reliance in times of trouble many times

a baby's reliance on her parents

Recent Examples on the Web

Microsoft's business has been on a tear, with its stock reaching a record last week, as OpenAI and other companies have deepened their reliance on Azure for running artificial intelligence models. —Jordan Novet, CNBC, 6 Nov. 2025

In eastern China, air pollution has fallen as a massive buildout of wind, solar, and clean energy coupled with strong air pollution policies have begun to curb reliance on coal. —Alexis Abramson, Fortune, 6 Nov. 2025

There is a sense that local producers are leaning towards coproductions with producers in other countries, not just to ameliorate the financial burden, but to wean themselves away from over reliance on commissions and acquisitions from streamers. —Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 6 Nov. 2025

Detroit’s reliance on the auto industry hurt the city as free trade agreements, automation and incentives from southern states sent jobs away. —Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN Money, 5 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1606, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing reliance

• self-reliance

Rhymes for reliance

• appliance
• compliance
• defiance
• geoscience
• neuroscience
• noncompliance
• pseudoscience
• science

Kids Definition

reliance

noun

re·​li·​ance ri-ˈlī-ən(t)s 

1

: the act of relying

2

: the condition or attitude of one who relies : dependence

3

: something or someone relied on

Legal Definition

reliance

noun

re·​li·​ance ri-ˈlī-əns 

1

: the act of relying

reliance on a promise

2

: reliance interest at interest 1