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 sci-fi twist in the script turns their relationship into a send-up of co-dependence. — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 13 Aug. 2026 Buyers evaluate factors beyond top-line figures, including sustainable profitability, owner dependence, quality financial reporting, and robust systems. — Melissa Houston, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026 Bryant told Fortune the volunteer waitlist is growing by roughly 1,000 people a day, turning what started as an art project about AI dependence into a strange reversal of the AI boom’s defining anxiety. — Diane Brady, Fortune, 12 Aug. 2026 For example, its work on RISC-V allows Chinese technology companies to reduce dependence on foreign intellectual property in semiconductors. — Christopher K. Tong, The Conversation, 12 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

The watchdog also criticized internal affairs investigators’ reliance on deputies’ logs and detectives’ case files, which were oriented at establishing criminal liability, not examining institutional flaws.

— Robert Salonga, Mercury News, 15 Aug. 2026
Top Navy officials have indicated a desire to move away from a heavy reliance on carriers.

— Ben Finley, Fortune, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of reliance

Noun

Wrestling with the realities of drug addiction is an endeavor rife with pitfalls for any filmmaker hoping to avoid easy judgment.

— Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 14 Aug. 2026
After high school, Levin said, both women battled addiction, went in different directions and lost touch.

— Ross DiMattei, CBS News, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of addiction

Noun

Nurses form the essential backbone of post-neurosurgery ICU care, providing continuous vigilance and skilled bedside assessment after complex spine and cranial procedures.

— Richard Menger MD MPA, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2026
The road was the backbone of Charlotte’s transportation at the time.

— DJ Simmons, Charlotte Observer, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of backbone

Noun

Webb later revisited the region in infrared, seeing through more of the dust and revealing stars hidden inside and behind the pillars.

— Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 15 Aug. 2026
Washington and Beijing also appear to be making no progress towards building a pillar of their trade truce, a bilateral board of investment, the head of a top US business group told the South China Morning Post.

— Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of pillar

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