DEPENDANCE Synonyms: 46 Similar and Opposite Words

dependence

noun

di-ˈpen-dən(t)s

variants also dependance

Definition of dependence

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

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in reliance

something or someone to which one looks for support ultimately rice became the chief dependence in that state

Synonyms & Similar Words

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. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of dependence Popular sleep aids before surgery could prevent painkiller dependence later. — FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2026 The greater the dependence, the greater the political pressure to unwind it. — Keyu Jin, Time, 23 Oct. 2026 Too much dependence on one shipping lane means that when a corridor closes, there may be no fallback. — Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 23 Oct. 2026 Over the past week, Ukraine has received a stark reminder of its growing dependence on uninterrupted access to Elon Musk's Starlink and Starshield networks in its drone-heavy war against Russia, now in its fifth year. — Aidan Stretch, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for dependence

Recent Examples of Synonyms for dependence

Noun

While cost remains extremely important, the exec said brands now evaluate a much wider risk equation that includes lead time, flexibility, traceability, regulatory compliance, geopolitical exposure and dependency on individual production regions.

— Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 27 Oct. 2026
But providing ongoing financial support can create a cycle of dependency that can delay important milestones and threaten the parents' financial security.

— Dan Avery, CNBC, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of dependency

Noun

Kyiv's reliance on drones has made Starlink and Starshield nearly indispensable to its arsenal.

— Aidan Stretch, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026
Thus, no matter what really transpired with Starlink's suspension of service to Ukraine, Musk may now face customers diversifying away from total reliance on SpaceX as his ultimate reckoning.

— Jeffrey Sonnenfeld and Steven Tian, CNBC, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of reliance

Noun

Some recent studies have highlighted addiction problems, and some organizations have raised alarm bells that the rise in youth gambling is a public health crisis, which has motivated policymakers to propose legislation to regulate sports betting.

— Jake Angelo, semafor.com, 23 Oct. 2026
In March, a Los Angeles jury ordered Meta and Google to pay $6 million in damages to a 20-year-old plaintiff in a bellwether social media addiction trial.

— Chad de Guzman, Time, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of addiction

Noun

Consistent with their hypothesis, the secretion signal helps transfer the enzyme out of the cell, while the lipid anchor holds it near the cell surface.

— Muskan Bhatia, Interesting Engineering, 21 Oct. 2026
But despite this, they were still conceived of as being located within the mounds themselves, real-world anchors for these strange, marvelous realms.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of anchor

Noun

The language that’s known as the backbone of the internet is now subject to what experts describe as one of the most notable vulnerabilities in recent memory.

— Kaitlyn Huamani, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026
Stocchetto’s son Maurizio, the current owner, marked the 50th anniversary with a light refurbishment but one that kept the vintage backbone intact, from the brocades and mirrors to the marble floor and dark wood panels.

— Jaclyn DeGiorgio, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of backbone

Noun

Innovation will always be an important pillar of the award, said Christiane Dolva, the philanthropic organization’s head of innovation, research and demonstration.

— Jasmin Malik Chua, Footwear News, 22 Oct. 2026
Dedicated to the god Amun, it is known for its beautiful pillars and intricate carvings.

— Jamie Carter, Space.com, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of pillar

Noun

Using them as a permanent crutch, however, can create a long-term problem.

— John Csiszar, Washington Post, 25 Oct. 2026
There was Franz West’s Passstück (1983/1984), a sculpture meant to be used like a strange crutch that would modify how a person moves about.

— Maximilíano Durón, ARTnews.com, 20 Oct. 2026