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

China, too, has relied heavily on its own massive oil stockpiles, while simultaneously drastically reducing its crude imports. — David Goldman, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2026

While the play on the diamond has been particularly tough to watch, the lone constant that everyone can rely on is the ballpark food, which one furry fan found to be the case when the Mets took on the San Diego Padres on Wednesday. — Austin Perry Outkick, FOXNews.com, 21 Aug. 2026

Those athletes can still seek injunctions in other forums, including state courts, but relying on a nationwide one granted by a federal judge is off the table. — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 21 Aug. 2026

Hendricks is not relying on AI to rewrite his applications, however. — Rachel Barber, USA Today, 21 Aug. 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