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 Brazil also has a complete fiber-to-fashion supply chain and can source most key raw materials domestically, significantly reducing dependence on Asia. — Sj Studio, Footwear News, 2 Sep. 2026 That creates more meetings, more exceptions and too much dependence on a few people who hold everything in their heads. — Nicholas Cormier, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2026 For staff represented by the CSUEU, the major demands include salary raises, reducing dependence on temporary workers and ensuring job security. — Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 2 Sep. 2026 But whole-leaf kratom — the natural product and its extracts — has also led to dependence and death, according to McCurdy’s own research. — Anjeanette Damon, ProPublica, 1 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for dependence

Recent Examples of Synonyms for dependence

Noun

If milestones stay fixed while priorities, risks and dependencies keep changing, stakeholders are managing expectations based on outdated assumptions.

— Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2026
It’s hopefully not imposed by economic dependency or an inability to love outside your ethnicity or religion or language.

— Gloria Steinem, Glamour, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of dependency

Noun

That growing reliance on patient portals caught the attention of Mary M.

— Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 4 Sep. 2026
Networks such as Island and Archipelago electronically matched buy and sell orders, speeding up execution and reducing reliance on traditional market makers and other intermediaries.

— Brian Lund, Encyclopedia Britannica, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of reliance

Noun

Eventually, Yamada resurfaces with beer cans, lighters, sunglasses, two phones and a vape cartridge — but no anchor.

— Evgenia Anastasakos, Chicago Tribune, 8 Sep. 2026
But the focus on the anchor-outs’ relatively modest contribution to bay pollution is indicative of a broader tendency, by no means unique to Marin County, to blame homeless people for everything that goes wrong.

— Maggie McGowan, The New York Review of Books, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of anchor

Noun

Ukraine repeatedly has targeted oil facilities that form the backbone of Russia’s economy, one of the world’s largest energy producers.

— Samya Kullab, Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2026
Building the nuclear backbone One focus will be NANO Nuclear’s HALEU transportation systems.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of backbone

Noun

Footwear is a key part of the strategy within several pillars outlined by Joseph Alkire, Kontoor’s president and chief financial officer.

— Vicki M. Young, Footwear News, 4 Sep. 2026
Sports remains the third pillar of the country strategy, according to Oishi, who cites Prime Video’s existing rights to MLB, NBA and live boxing coverage in Japan.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of pillar

Noun

The former Democratic speaker was the longtime villain, a mainstay in ads as Republicans linked Democratic candidates to her to paint them as radical and out of touch.

— James A. Downs, The Washington Examiner, 6 Sep. 2026
The property partners with neighborhood favorites to offer premium lifestyle perks, including complimentary guest passes to the nearby Brooklyn Athletic Club, and exclusive discounts at local mainstays like SoulCycle and COS Williamsburg.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Sep. 2026