rely on/upon

phrasal verb

relied on/upon; relying on/upon; relies on/upon

1

: to need (someone or something) for support, help, etc. : to depend on (someone or something)

My mother relied on me for financial support.

They rely on a well for all their water.

2

: to trust or believe (someone or something)

She's someone you can rely on.

I relied heavily upon your advice.

You could always rely on him to disagree.

3

: to expect (something) with confidence : to be certain that (something) will happen or exist

The economy may improve next year, but it's not something you can rely on.

Examples of rely on/upon in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The Carlins rely on easy, grab-and-go snacks like fruit, yogurt and veggie chips to keep their kids fueled throughout the day. —Valerie Mesa, People.com, 28 July 2025

Most banks today still rely on a hodgepodge of outdated technology that’s upwards of 40 to 50 years old. —Michael Abbott, Forbes.com, 28 July 2025

Don't rely on your genes to do the heavy lifting, and remember that small changes can lead to big payoffs for your longevity. —Sharon Basaraba, Verywell Health, 28 July 2025

Though low-cost carriers like Vueling rely on ancillary fees, including baggage charges, to keep fares low. —Soo Kim, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 July 2025