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

However, the program relies on dramatically reducing property tax payouts to county taxing jurisdictions in order to account for that extra 2023-2024 revenue — which has, in many cases, long been spent by the school districts that received it. — Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 4 Sep. 2026

Control units can be installed at several locations aboard a vessel, allowing crew members to monitor threats and access the system without relying on a single operating station. — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 4 Sep. 2026

The aesthetic lineage Wingard invokes relied on the genuine nastiness of works like Faster, Pussycat! — Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 4 Sep. 2026

Farming equipment relies heavily on diesel, and the rising cost of farming will eventually make food more expensive. — Brittney Melton, NPR, 4 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