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

Hungary and Slovakia are the EU’s only nations that rely heavily on Russian oil shipped through the Druzhba pipeline over Ukraine. —semafor.com, 23 Feb. 2026

Poor weather and battlefield obscurants continue to endanger warfighters as adversaries rely on these conditions to escape attacks. —Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 22 Feb. 2026

With no humans in sight, the animals must rely on their own instincts to find safe ground as the water continues to rise. —Danny Horn, Entertainment Weekly, 22 Feb. 2026

When making sourdough, look for visual cues instead of relying solely on the time and temperature listed in the recipe. —Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 22 Feb. 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