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 Psychological withdrawal symptoms can include anxiety and irritability, dependence and insomnia. — Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 4 Aug. 2026 By building governance systems on Chinese systems, the region is trading short-term affordability for dependence—and, with it, Chinese leverage over their decisions. — Natalia Cote-Muñoz, Foreign Affairs, 3 Aug. 2026 Losing the ability to speak and move has taught me how quickly society conflates physical dependence with diminished personhood. — Christopher Campos, STAT, 3 Aug. 2026 Countries including Kenya, Angola and Senegal have cultivated partnerships with China, Europe, Japan and the United States, seeking to maximize technology transfer while avoiding dependence on any one power. — Yinka Adegoke, semafor.com, 3 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for dependence

Recent Examples of Synonyms for dependence

Noun

Leaders should monitor changes in input patterns, missing information, schemas, populations, products, geography, language, prompts, retrieval sources, foundation-model versions, external tools, and vendor dependencies.

— Gerald J. Leonard, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
But through legal talent, legal reputation, and economic dependencies, the United States has remained a focal point in global law.

— Mark Jia, Foreign Affairs, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of dependency

Noun

China has moved to bar companionship chatbots from encouraging emotional reliance, which means a regulator can decide that a relationship somebody depends on will stop existing.

— Jason Snyder, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2026
Federal policymakers have added uranium to the US critical minerals list while taking steps to reduce reliance on Russian nuclear fuel and expand domestic conversion and enrichment capacity.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of reliance

Noun

As Davud is drawn back into addiction, Shams grows increasingly isolated among the building’s workers, veterans and outcasts.

— Marta Balaga, Variety, 7 Aug. 2026
In addition to the 5K, the event will feature food trucks, community resources, and inspiring stories of people who have battled with addiction.

— Clifford Ward, Chicago Tribune, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of addiction

Noun

While federal policy typically focuses on new construction or subsidized housing, NOAH owners are the backbone of our affordable housing ecosystem, accounting for 75% of affordable homes nationwide.

— Maggie Cassidy, Chicago Tribune, 6 Aug. 2026
Like building a giant erector set, Meir and Menon worked to assemble and bolt together the triangular brackets on the 3B power channel, located on the far right, or starboard (S6) segment of the station's backbone truss.

— Robert Z. Pearlman, Space.com, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of backbone

Noun

In the three interviews Kersanava conducted with AI avatar applicants, the candidates had applied for English-speaking roles as non-native speakers, leaning on AI as a crutch for a lack of language proficiency.

— Jake Angelo, semafor.com, 7 Aug. 2026
Pointing with his crutch, Boisvert showed the Canadian border post he's now supposed to check in with before walking across the street.

— Trevor Hughes, USA Today, 29 July 2026

Definition of crutch

Noun

But on Sunday, every order at the San Fernando Valley mainstay was served with a side of heartbreak as the restaurant marked its final day of business.

— Carlos De Loera, Los Angeles Times, 10 Aug. 2026
Her feathery upper pitch, a mainstay on past records, is less constant.

— Stephen Kearse, Pitchfork, 7 Aug. 2026