variants
also dependance
1
as in dependency
the quality or state of needing something or someone
a baby's total dependence upon his or her parents for every one of life's needs
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
3
as in addiction
a physiological need for certain drugs
acquired a dependence on prescription painkillers following back surgery
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of dependence
Brzeski said the war has underscored Germany's heavy dependence on energy imports.
—
Hugh Leask, CNBC, 24 Apr. 2026
Barona is pursuing the improvements to enhance water reliability, reduce dependence on groundwater and support the long-term sustainability of the Barona community.
—Julie Gallant, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Apr. 2026
Platinum’s biggest supply risk stems from its heavy dependence on South African mines, where power outages and labor disputes can disrupt mining output.
—Sharon Wu, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2026
Unless the bloc’s leaders reduce dependence on fossil fuels, this crisis won’t be the last.
—Gabrielle Ng, Bloomberg, 23 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dependence
Hugh Leask, CNBC, 24 Apr. 2026
Barona is pursuing the improvements to enhance water reliability, reduce dependence on groundwater and support the long-term sustainability of the Barona community.
—Julie Gallant, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Apr. 2026
Platinum’s biggest supply risk stems from its heavy dependence on South African mines, where power outages and labor disputes can disrupt mining output.
—Sharon Wu, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2026
Unless the bloc’s leaders reduce dependence on fossil fuels, this crisis won’t be the last.
—Gabrielle Ng, Bloomberg, 23 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dependence
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dependence
Noun
-
Previous assignments include juvenile dependency and civil litigation.—
Jon Regardie,
Los Angeles Times,
1 May 2026
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The popular code library is just one example of the broader problem of critical software dependencies that have never been seriously audited.—
Evan Johnson,
IEEE Spectrum,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
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But critics say widespread reliance comes with health and environmental risks, as long-term exposure has been linked to cancer and other chronic diseases.—
Christiana Freitag,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Apr. 2026
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At the same time, firms are reducing their reliance on external labor.—
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld,
Fortune,
29 Apr. 2026
Noun
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While there has been no substantive research into the effect of prediction markets on sports gambling addiction, the experiences of the coach and the accountant are not uncommon for treatment experts.—
Jay Cohen,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Apr. 2026
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Indonesia began implementing a new government regulation at the end of March banning children younger than 16 from accessing digital platforms that could expose them to addiction, pornography, online scams and cyberbullying.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The National Mall and Lincoln Memorial anchor an outdoor collection of monuments, while the National Museum of African American History & Culture traces slavery, emancipation, the Civil Rights movement and African American achievement in sports, music and government.—
Lauren Schuster,
Miami Herald,
29 Apr. 2026
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As part of its investment, IBM’s FutureNow Chicago delivery center will become an anchor tenant at the IQMP’s Quantum Works building, which is expected to be completed by 2028.—
Robert Channick,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Some backbone and detail on issues such as water, immigration and the role of money in politics could help elevate the conversation.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Apr. 2026
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Cotton is the backbone of Levi’s business.—
Angela Velasquez,
Footwear News,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
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In a Wednesday ruling, the Supreme Court weakened a key pillar of the Voting Rights Act, striking down a majority-Black congressional district in Louisiana and empowering officials to redraw state congressional maps.—
Claire Malon,
Chicago Tribune,
2 May 2026
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For many Black Americans, the decision was a death knell for a cherished pillar of the Civil Rights Movement.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
2 May 2026
Noun
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From ordering groceries to using AI to write for us, the digital world has become a facilitator but also a crutch.—
Theara Coleman,
TheWeek,
20 Apr. 2026
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In some ways, these formal elements could serve as a crutch for the show, the main distinguishing feature in its arsenal.—
Wilson Chapman,
IndieWire,
15 Apr. 2026
Noun
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There are far fewer office workers coming into the city — many splitting their time between home and the office — cutting into what was long a mainstay of downtown activity.—
Kenneth R. Gosselin,
Hartford Courant,
3 May 2026
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Agriculture is still one of Florida’s economic mainstays with more than 44,000 farms covering nearly 10 million acres.—
The Virginian Pilot And Daily Press Editorial Board,
The Orlando Sentinel,
3 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dependence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dependence. Accessed 7 May. 2026.
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