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

Across the country, roughly 42 million people rely on SNAP to afford groceries. —Aliss Higham, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Oct. 2025

That night, Slot’s tactical reshuffle, including major changes to the full-backs, and how much Galatasaray relied on star attackers Victor Osimhen and Baris Alper disrupted Liverpool’s rhythm. —The Athletic Uk Staff, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025

Then, the liwik would have relied on metal tools to craft it. —Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 25 Oct. 2025

But doctors are busy people, especially those who work at research hospitals and rely on insurance payments. —Lucinda Rosenfeld, New Yorker, 25 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