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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in anchor
something or someone to which one looks for support
ultimately rice became the chief dependence in that state
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3
as in addiction
a physiological need for certain drugs
acquired a dependence on prescription painkillers following back surgery
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of dependence
Without credible plans to actually reduce fossil fuel dependence, the annual climate talks risk becoming another point of geopolitical tension.
—
Kate Hua-Ke Chi, The Conversation, 16 Oct. 2025
America’s dependence on overwhelming force would form the assumption that, as in Cuba, war should be quick and relatively bloodless.
—Literary Hub, 15 Oct. 2025
Because state funding for public universities has dropped from nearly 42% of the system's budget in 1985 to half that in 2025, tuition dependence has grown, as has the financial burden on families.
—Kelly Meyerhofer, jsonline.com, 15 Oct. 2025
With China’s tight grip on rare earths, Wang said the US dependence on China would continue, at least in the short term.
—John Liu, CNN Money, 14 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dependence
Kate Hua-Ke Chi, The Conversation, 16 Oct. 2025
America’s dependence on overwhelming force would form the assumption that, as in Cuba, war should be quick and relatively bloodless.
—Literary Hub, 15 Oct. 2025
Because state funding for public universities has dropped from nearly 42% of the system's budget in 1985 to half that in 2025, tuition dependence has grown, as has the financial burden on families.
—Kelly Meyerhofer, jsonline.com, 15 Oct. 2025
With China’s tight grip on rare earths, Wang said the US dependence on China would continue, at least in the short term.
—John Liu, CNN Money, 14 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dependence
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dependence
Noun
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Guy is their newest inductee, a 20something with an iffy American accent (Denton is Australian), a worrying clonazepam dependency, a fancy NYU law degree and — of most interest to the Talamasca — a rare ability to read minds.—
Angie Han,
HollywoodReporter,
24 Oct. 2025
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South Africa, on the other hand, announced a plan to reduce its dependency on coal from 58% of its energy mix now to 29% by 2039, in particular planning to boost spending on nuclear power.—
Ben Smith,
semafor.com,
24 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The co-anchor recalls getting one important word wrong.—
Raechal Shewfelt,
Entertainment Weekly,
22 Oct. 2025
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Over his long and illustrious career as a CBS news correspondent and anchor, Bob Schieffer won awards and earned acclaim as one of the finest journalists in America.—
Matthew Adams,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
21 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Many lives have been ravaged by drug addiction and incarceration.—
Grace Byron,
New Yorker,
22 Oct. 2025
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The victim's brother, Reginald Ferguson, said his late relative helped him through a drug addiction.—
Adam Sabes,
FOXNews.com,
21 Oct. 2025
Noun
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By reducing reliance on large, multi-tonne battery packs and ultra-high-power static charging (sometimes up to 1 MW) traditionally required for long-haul electric trucks, dynamic wireless charging offers an alternative path to decarbonize road freight at scale.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
24 Oct. 2025
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Hungary increased its Russian crude oil reliance from 61% pre-invasion to 86% in 2024.—
Christian Edwards,
CNN Money,
24 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Over the years, Chris Jones has made a habit of praising his line coach, Joe Cullen.—
Emily Curiel,
Kansas City Star,
26 Oct. 2025
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Saleh on Lucas Cornerback Chase Lucas has won over Saleh with his play and his study habits.—
Jerry McDonald,
Mercury News,
26 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dependence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dependence. Accessed 28 Oct. 2025.
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