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

For years, astronomers have relied on a model called ΛCDM (Lambda–Cold Dark Matter) to describe how these ingredients work. —Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 29 Nov. 2025

Hosts who rely on their guests to pay for the party may be setting themselves up for disappointment, for example. —Kamaron McNair, CNBC, 29 Nov. 2025

Blend Vintage and New On the back patio, Campbell relied on vintage outdoor furniture that was reupholstered in sturdy Sunbrella fabric. —Betsy Cribb Watson, Southern Living, 29 Nov. 2025

According to calendar communications platform ECAL, 70 percent of 1,000 respondents rely most on a digital calendar to manage their lives, while 28 percent use a journal or planner instead. —Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Nov. 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