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
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Recent Examples of dependence
Davidson thinks this sock brand could be the business venture that finally breaks his dependence on Hollywood.
—
Maxwell Adler, Vanity Fair, 16 Apr. 2026
The Habit-Forming Side Of Sleep Aids Melatonin does not appear to cause physical dependence or withdrawal the way some prescription sleep medications do, per the Cleveland Clinic.
—Allison Palmer, Sacbee.com, 16 Apr. 2026
Melatonin Dependence And Tolerance Melatonin does not cause physical dependence or withdrawal the way prescription sleep medications do, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
—Allison Palmer, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Apr. 2026
What Long-Term Use Actually Does Melatonin doesn’t create physical dependence like prescription sleep medications.
—Allison Palmer, Charlotte Observer, 15 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dependence
Maxwell Adler, Vanity Fair, 16 Apr. 2026
The Habit-Forming Side Of Sleep Aids Melatonin does not appear to cause physical dependence or withdrawal the way some prescription sleep medications do, per the Cleveland Clinic.
—Allison Palmer, Sacbee.com, 16 Apr. 2026
Melatonin Dependence And Tolerance Melatonin does not cause physical dependence or withdrawal the way prescription sleep medications do, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
—Allison Palmer, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Apr. 2026
What Long-Term Use Actually Does Melatonin doesn’t create physical dependence like prescription sleep medications.
—Allison Palmer, Charlotte Observer, 15 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dependence
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dependence
Noun
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There are more third-party dependencies than anyone can count.—
Stephen Clark,
ArsTechnica,
17 Apr. 2026
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The case has rightly focused attention on how chatbots apparently reinforce delusions and foster emotional dependency.—
Marc Augustin,
STAT,
16 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Janos Kummer / Getty Images During his 16 years in power, Orbán deepened Hungary's reliance on Russian oil, gas and nuclear power.—
Aidan Stretch,
CBS News,
15 Apr. 2026
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However, China has sought to reduce reliance on the US as relations have soured, cutting imports from 28% a decade ago to 2% in the first eight months of last year and boosting its domestic supply.—
John Liu,
CNN Money,
15 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The markets, which include Polymarket and its chief rival Kalshi, have been criticized for everything from undermining the integrity of sports to contributing to an online betting addiction crisis among young men.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
17 Apr. 2026
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Ibogaine, a naturally occurring compound from a shrub native to Africa, is used to treat depression, anxiety, addiction, post-traumatic stress disorder and brain trauma.—
Jennifer Jacobs,
CBS News,
16 Apr. 2026
Noun
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This will also inevitably impact the wider creative industries ecosystem, given the BBC’s crucial anchor role in commissioning content and nurturing talent.—
Jake Kanter,
Deadline,
15 Apr. 2026
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Instead of pitons that damaged the rock walls climbers were ascending, Chouinard Equipment started selling chocks, metal anchors that could be wedged into existing cracks in the rock.—
Tony Biasotti,
USA Today,
15 Apr. 2026
Noun
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If that’s the digital backbone, manufacturers are now racing to fix the physical side of the equation.—
Alexandra Harrell,
Footwear News,
21 Apr. 2026
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The electrician wiring a data center is building the backbone of the AI boom, where a single error can cost millions in downtime.—
Sydney Lake,
Fortune,
21 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The two pillars of private markets have become deeply intertwined over the past decade, with direct lenders stepping in as a key financing engine for buyouts after banks retreated following the global financial crisis, according to industry veterans.—
Lee Ying Shan,
CNBC,
20 Apr. 2026
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Parents expressed sorrow at seeing a pillar of their children’s music journey gone too soon.—
David John Chávez,
Mercury News,
19 Apr. 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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And Clarkson, too, has been in and out of the rotation, a mainstay during the Knicks’ ride to the NBA Cup, an outcast when the Knicks dropped nine out of 11 games to start the 2026 calendar year, then a reinsertion into the rotation during the latter stretch of the regular season.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
19 Apr. 2026
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The five remaining mainstays from the Celtics’ 2023-24 title-winning roster — Tatum, Brown, White, Pritchard and Hauser — form the spine of this year’s squad.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
19 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dependence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dependence. Accessed 23 Apr. 2026.
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