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

Bromley rely on chaos and marginal gains but there is a method to their madness, without which sustained excellence over a league season would be impossible. —Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 23 Apr. 2026

Don’t rely on tone or timing to smooth it over. —Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 22 Apr. 2026

Others rely on some sort of retiree employer coverage or a different backup. —Julie Appleby, CBS News, 22 Apr. 2026

By relying on electricity instead of ammunition, the NI-L3K reduces the need for resupply and lowers the cost per engagement. —Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 22 Apr. 2026

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