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 The breadth of the outages highlighted the dependence on just a few providers for key computing services. — ABC News, 23 Sep. 2026 Kratom has gained popularity as an unapproved treatment for pain, anxiety and drug dependence. — Josh Feldman, NBC news, 23 Sep. 2026 Leaders are asking whether AI can help win more business, reduce dependence on outsourcing, accelerate decision-making or create a lasting competitive advantage. — Samir Dutta, Forbes.com, 23 Sep. 2026 Nicotine changes the brain Nicotine also leads to dependence through activation of brain reward pathways. — Hasmeena Kathuria, The Conversation, 22 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for dependence

Recent Examples of Synonyms for dependence

Noun

If employees repeatedly need the founder to explain processes, locate information or remember how something was handled previously, the organization has created dependency around knowledge as well as decisions.

— Sariki Abungwo, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2026
The license is tied to a PC rather than to a Microsoft account, so IT teams in regulated or restricted environments can deploy it without a cloud dependency.

— StackCommerce Team, PC Magazine, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of dependency

Noun

The studies leave us with more questions than answers, but the researchers claim our rising reliance on smartphones and mobile devices makes continued study an imperative.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 24 Sep. 2026
The project explores how hydroponic growing—which grows crops in water instead of soil—and AI can reduce cotton’s reliance on these resources.

— Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of reliance

Noun

That job is not easy, especially given the number of people with mental illness and addiction issues.

— Steve Lopez, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026
The latter—which perhaps pulls inspiration from the early addiction recovery phrase used to describe the honeymoon period of sobriety—details taking ownership of letting a romantic partner down.

— Leigh Blickley, Entertainment Weekly, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of addiction

Noun

The captain drops the anchor near a reef where fan-like corals in shades of purple and gold overlap, creating what looks like an underwater metropolis.

— Claire Turrell, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Sep. 2026
The event program will be hosted by Good Day LA anchor Brooke Thomas and features a DJ set by Katie Otro.

— Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 23 Sep. 2026

Definition of anchor

Noun

Merchants can’t wait for that backbone to modernize, so the real question is how much a provider actually does with the data those old systems already produce.

— Wayne Hamilton, Forbes.com, 25 Sep. 2026
The Sparks also desperately needed Brink to become the defensive backbone of the team.

— Marisa Ingemi, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of backbone

Noun

Target, which is starting to get some traction in its turnaround, but is still lagging Walmart, is making style a pillar of its new approach.

— Evan Clark, Footwear News, 24 Sep. 2026
Kicillof and others have seized on widespread economic hardship under Milei to rekindle support for the movement's traditional pillars — free education, public health care and workers’ rights.

— ABC News, ABC News, 23 Sep. 2026