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

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2
as in anchor
something or someone to which one looks for support ultimately rice became the chief dependence in that state

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3
as in addiction
a physiological need for certain drugs acquired a dependence on prescription painkillers following back surgery

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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 United States does need to reduce its dependence on Chinese talent: in any market, overreliance on any single supplier is almost always a recipe for insecurity. David G. Victor, Foreign Affairs, 28 May 2025 Of course, given the dependence of many practitioners on public commissions, opposition to slash-and-burn fiscal policy is also very much in their own interest. Ian Volner, Artforum, 28 May 2025 The body is a moral form, as the philosopher J. M. Bernstein has articulated, because of our dependence on one another to sustain our sense of humanity. Sarah Beckwith, New Yorker, 26 May 2025 As a result, people are searching for healthier alternatives to manage nicotine addiction and break free from the cycle of dependence. Tribune Content Agency, Mercury News, 19 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for dependence
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dependence
Noun
  • Non-Maintainable Systems Lack of clean code structure, high entropy in the codebase, absence of modularity, dependency chaos, difficult debugging and lack of documentation can occur when applying vibe coding without a core engineering mindset.
    Naresh Prajapati, Forbes.com, 29 May 2025
  • Though there’s a conversation about reducing the industry’s dependency on fossil fuels, Simon Giuliani, Candiani Denim’s global marketing director, said one challenge as a producer and manufacturer is investing in new technology that brands may or may not adopt.
    Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 23 May 2025
Noun
  • Still in the early stages of their respective careers, Mitchell and DeJean have the potential to be anchors for the Eagles' defense long-term.
    Matt Robison, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 June 2025
  • Still, seeing an animal that size in a place where people typically kayak, swim, and anchor boats is enough to give anyone pause.
    Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 5 June 2025
Noun
  • For more: read Jamie Lee Curtis, in conversation with Rachel Syme, on addiction, beauty standards, and encounters with Bette Davis.
    Rachel Syme, New Yorker, 30 May 2025
  • And with people who are health-conscious, the amount of alcohol or any other addiction is extremely low.
    Gary Stern, Forbes.com, 29 May 2025
Noun
  • The new belt was designed with reliance on Volvo's database of over 80,000 car-crash victims.
    Michael Franco, New Atlas, 6 June 2025
  • Furthermore, is a reliance on new safety and driver assistance features potentially dangerous? Ford recall extends to over one million vehicles due to rearview camera issue Why are over a million Ford models included in NHTSA's recent recall notices?
    Charles Singh, USA Today, 5 June 2025
Noun
  • He is used to mowing his lawn shirtless and in shorts – especially on hotter days – but recently, what seemed like a harmless habit sparked unexpected drama with his neighbors across the street.
    Tereza Shkurtaj, People.com, 7 June 2025
  • Students leave with answers, but more importantly, with the habit of questioning their own choices and understanding the consequences.
    Dr. Aviva Legatt, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Dependence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dependence. Accessed 13 Jun. 2025.

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