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 More recurring revenue can help Plex extract greater value from its customers over their lifetimes, make cash flow more predictable, please investors, help fund new features, and reduce Plex’s dependence on the fickle advertising market. — Scharon Harding, ArsTechnica, 2 July 2026 Yet alcohol contributes to millions of deaths globally each year and is linked to cancer, liver disease, unintentional accidents, violence and, importantly, dependence and addiction. — Emma Fenske, The Conversation, 2 July 2026 These efforts are designed to reduce America’s dependence on foreign supply chains for materials essential to modern weapons systems while strengthening domestic industrial capacity. — Marc Andersen, Fortune, 30 June 2026 Its language about seeking opportunity rather than security, taking calculated risks, building, falling, succeeding, and refusing to trade dignity for dependence captured, almost perfectly, how my father thought about America. — Phil Kafarakis, Forbes.com, 4 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for dependence

Recent Examples of Synonyms for dependence

Noun

But the enterprise has not done the harder work of specifying the decision, workflow, exception handling, control structure, data dependencies, accountability model, and outcome that matter.

— Sanjay Srivastava, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026
The company is exploring strategies that emphasize domestic manufacturing and supply chain resilience, reflecting a growing focus on reducing dependency on complex global cold-chain networks.

— Connie Etemadi, USA Today, 6 July 2026

Definition of dependency

Noun

Hamilton coped best with adapting his driving style around Formula 1's new reliance on battery power to take pole position in qualifying for Saturday's sprint race.

— ABC News, ABC News, 3 July 2026
The investment also reflects a broader push across Europe to expand domestic chip manufacturing and reduce reliance on overseas production for strategically important technologies.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 3 July 2026

Definition of reliance

Noun

Cherokee leaders frame the project as an existential response to surging opioid deaths in rural communities, aiming to protect language and future generations from addiction’s toll.

— Sarah Liese, Los Angeles Times, 3 July 2026
The movie serves both as a farewell to the franchise, and a reminder of how years of addiction, feuds and legal battles pushed Margera — who had second-billing for the first three films — to the sidelines.

— Mattha Busby, Rolling Stone, 3 July 2026

Definition of addiction

Noun

Building a century of infrastructure What Bucyrus built in South Milwaukee fanned out across the country, shaping the backbone of modern America.

— Malika Bowling, USA Today, 3 July 2026
Brut Champagne gives the drink its backbone—its acidity stays crisp against the other players, keeping the drink focused and bright.

— Joe Sevier, Bon Appetit Magazine, 3 July 2026

Definition of backbone

Noun

The only way to preserve our republic is to strengthen the pillars of our present with the mortar of our past.

— Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 4 July 2026
These clips, showing first-person views from drones striking military and logistical sites, have become a pillar of Ukraine’s wartime propaganda efforts to illustrate battlefield successes against Russia.

— Marc Santora, New York Times, 4 July 2026

Definition of pillar

Noun

The workers who are going to come out ahead are the ones who learn to use AI as a partner, not a crutch.

— Dan Schawbel, CNBC, 6 July 2026
And while total entries declined by roughly 25%, the question of what qualifies as award-worthy work took the pressure off of the crutch of rewarding only the technology.

— Doug Melville, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026