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

While traditional steel manufacturing relies on coal to process iron, Stegra’s plant in Boden, Sweden, will use renewable electricity to generate green hydrogen. — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 18 Sep. 2026

But the gelatin-and-yeast concrete could offer some advantages over some of the other leading ideas for making building materials on Mars, most of which rely on heating and melting regolith to form bricks and support beams. — Kiona N. Smith, Space.com, 17 Sep. 2026

As for the rest of her carry-on (a small aluminum one she’s relied on for a decade), the packing list follows a more predictably glamorous route. — Elly Leavitt, Vogue, 17 Sep. 2026

How Compression Boots Work Compression boots rely on intermittent pneumatic compression, or IPC. — Samantha Agate, Sacbee.com, 17 Sep. 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