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

Israel, meanwhile, relies on both subterfuge and robust regular ground and air forces that are apparently unmatched in the region. —Christopher Bodeen, Chicago Tribune, 21 June 2025

The regime relies on repression—crackdowns, imprisonment, torture, executions—to maintain control of a stifled and restive population. —David Remnick, New Yorker, 21 June 2025

Turkey relies heavily on energy imports, including from Iran, and rising oil prices due to the conflict could aggravate inflation and further strain its troubled economy. —Arkansas Online, 21 June 2025

At Campbellsville University in Kentucky, nearly half of the students are international, and the university, which scored a C on the Forbes 2025 Financial Grades, relies on tuition and fees to make up 83% of its operating revenues. —Emma Whitford, Forbes.com, 21 June 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