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 No military commander would accept single point-of-failure dependence in weapon systems, a communications network, or an intelligence platform. — James Marks, Fortune, 23 July 2026 Across the country, states with relatively modest grocery prices often have lower incomes, higher poverty rates or greater dependence on nutrition assistance. — Hank Cardello, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026 The listing also touts infrastructure designed to reduce dependence on the grid, including solar power and backup generation, plus geothermal technology for radiant floor heating. — David Caraccio, Sacbee.com, 23 July 2026 The Botany is designed to operate largely on solar power for most of the year, cutting its dependence on the island grid. — Regan Stephens, Travel + Leisure, 22 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for dependence

Recent Examples of Synonyms for dependence

Noun

Why Vendor Dependencies Are An Increasing Risk As enterprises layer more services, integrations and automation into their environments, vendor dependencies, including in AI, become both a necessity and a liability.

— Kevin Korte, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
Several Gulf states want to expand pipeline capacity to reduce their dependency on Hormuz.

— Spencer Kimball, CNBC, 17 July 2026

Definition of dependency

Noun

While a new deal was not totally ruled out, The Athletic reported Gueye was deemed more likely to leave than stay this summer, and that Everton were keen to reduce their reliance on the midfielder.

— Patrick Boyland, New York Times, 24 July 2026
The ongoing crisis has forced the Middle East’s largest port operator to reduce reliance on the strait.

— Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 23 July 2026

Definition of reliance

Noun

That was his life for more than a decade — sometimes in work or a relationship but always falling back to addiction.

— Kyung Lah, CNN Money, 25 July 2026
According to her family’s complaint, Willis checked herself in to the rehab center seeking treatment for ketamine addiction.

— Gustavo Turner, HollywoodReporter, 24 July 2026

Definition of addiction

Noun

Celebrity Chef Eric Adjepong, a festival anchor, was particularly impressed by the diverse mango varieties, noting their versatility beyond sweetness for both savory and sweet dishes.

— Aly Walansky, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
Longtime SportsCenter anchor David Lloyd, injury expert Stephania Bell, talk show host Bart Scott and NFL Network analyst Charles Davis were also laid off as well, according to Front Office Sports.

— Ryan Canfield OutKick, FOXNews.com, 21 July 2026

Definition of anchor

Noun

To get there, their strategy called Quantum 2030 is built around five pillars.

— Dr. Jonathan Reichental, Forbes.com, 25 July 2026
The Ukrainian attacks on the sprawling Russian warehouses produced stark images, with massive pillars of black smoke rising above fires that raged at facilities of Wildberries, the country’s biggest online retailer and its equivalent of Amazon.

— Dasha Litvinova, Fortune, 24 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