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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
3
as in addiction
a physiological need for certain drugs
acquired a dependence on prescription painkillers following back surgery
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of dependence
Abruptly stopping alcohol if your body has a physiological dependence on it can cause withdrawal symptoms, such as shaking, sweating, and anxiety.
—
Heather Jones, Verywell Health, 29 Jan. 2026
The practice left the company exposed to cash-flow disruptions, increased its dependence on external financing, and became a vehicle for fraud, the indictment alleges.
—Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 29 Jan. 2026
The dependence on net international migration in Massachusetts reflects similar trends in several northeastern coastal states, including Connecticut, New Jersey, New York and Rhode Island, according to Census analysis.
—Grace Zokovitch, Boston Herald, 29 Jan. 2026
The dependence on contributors, who are not employees but paid for their TV appearances, is commonly used on cable news networks that need to fill hours of programming.
—Los Angeles Times, 27 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dependence
Heather Jones, Verywell Health, 29 Jan. 2026
The practice left the company exposed to cash-flow disruptions, increased its dependence on external financing, and became a vehicle for fraud, the indictment alleges.
—Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 29 Jan. 2026
The dependence on net international migration in Massachusetts reflects similar trends in several northeastern coastal states, including Connecticut, New Jersey, New York and Rhode Island, according to Census analysis.
—Grace Zokovitch, Boston Herald, 29 Jan. 2026
The dependence on contributors, who are not employees but paid for their TV appearances, is commonly used on cable news networks that need to fill hours of programming.
—Los Angeles Times, 27 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dependence
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dependence
Noun
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Davos has long championed cooperation, but cooperation without resilience quickly becomes dependency.—
Mark Minevich,
Forbes.com,
30 Jan. 2026
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The grant money is not guaranteed, but requesting the federal funds is one step in the process to help reduce the village’s dependency on private septic systems or intergovernmental agreements with other companies and communities, village officials said.—
Michelle Mullins,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The threat of duties and sanctions imposed by the US has also prompted some nations to look to hedge their reliance on the dollar.—
Stephanie Yang,
CNN Money,
4 Feb. 2026
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The Austin Fire Department accrued the second highest amount of overtime in fiscal year 2026 at $22 million, while Emergency Medical Services showed the highest reliance on overtime pay.—
Austin Sanders,
Austin American Statesman,
4 Feb. 2026
Noun
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John McEnroe’s son Kevin McEnroe identified with Nick Reiner — charged with murdering his parents Rob and Michele Reiner — in a new essay exploring their respective battles with addiction and growing up in the shadows of their famous parents.—
Jami Ganz,
New York Daily News,
5 Feb. 2026
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However, for some, gambling is an addiction that can ruin lives and families.—
Don Sweeney,
Sacbee.com,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
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While excavating the River Wear, archaeologists uncovered more than 800 whetstones — stone tools that were used to sharpen weapons and other tools — as well as 11 stone anchors believed to be linked to river transport.—
Andrea Margolis,
FOXNews.com,
5 Feb. 2026
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Savannah was absent from the Today show that morning, and her co-anchors read a statement from the host and her siblings.—
Jordana Comiter,
PEOPLE,
4 Feb. 2026
Noun
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All that is required is for the backbone of the Revolutionary Guards to break—and this is not a fantasy, but a realistic possibility.—
Shahrnush Parsipur,
Time,
3 Feb. 2026
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Today, the Yamuna serves as the backbone of Delhi’s water infrastructure, providing roughly 40% of the capital’s supply.—
Rhea Mogul,
CNN Money,
1 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Like O’Leary, elder care industry leaders nationwide are bracing for the loss of a key pillar of their workforce.—
Tami Luhby,
CNN Money,
1 Feb. 2026
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The highlight of these sneakers is definitely the striking Shox pillars on the sole.—
Katharina Fuchs,
Glamour,
1 Feb. 2026
Noun
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His comments landed like a cultural Rorschach test, offering the most high-profile entry yet into an ongoing debate about whether alcohol is, primarily, a public health problem or a useful social crutch.—
Aria Bendix,
NBC news,
24 Jan. 2026
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Even standing in the locker room a day after the Jacksonville Jaguars lost to the Buffalo Bills, defensive end Travon Walker refused to use his injuries as a crutch.—
Juston Lewis,
Florida Times-Union,
17 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Quite possibly the most joyful spot on the island, La Guérite has quickly become a St Barth’s mainstay since opening in spring 2023.—
Molly Barstein,
Vogue,
1 Feb. 2026
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Roadside attractions became a Florida mainstay, Kilby said.—
Dewayne Bevil,
The Orlando Sentinel,
31 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dependence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dependence. Accessed 6 Feb. 2026.
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