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

This moon earned its name because farmers relied on moonlight to harvest their crops late into the night in the days before electricity. —Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 5 Oct. 2025

After relying heavily on its rushing attack through nonconference play, Miami opened up its passing game Saturday. —Manny Navarro, New York Times, 5 Oct. 2025

Sanae Takaichi can rely on a fractured opposition to win a majority of votes in the legislature to become the next prime minister. —Jeff Kingston, Time, 4 Oct. 2025

To sustain this breakneck speed of production, the company relies on a tight supply chain of mostly local companies that can produce and deliver parts on a just-in-time basis. —Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 4 Oct. 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