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
The changes mark a fresh push to boost revenues and diversify one of the continent’s largest economies away from its historic dependence on oil exports.
—
Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 5 Jan. 2026
The Missouri facility will function as a central hub for these efforts, combining USSM’s existing refining capabilities with IonicRE’s separation technology to reduce dependence on foreign mineral imports.
—Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 3 Jan. 2026
Although inflation has since eased, deep structural weaknesses — massive debt, crumbling infrastructure and near-total dependence on oil — remain firmly embedded.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 3 Jan. 2026
Domestic demand is stabilizing — but not yet expanding enough to substitute for old growth drivers or reduce dependence on exports.
—Dewardric L. McNeal, CNBC, 31 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dependence
Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 5 Jan. 2026
The Missouri facility will function as a central hub for these efforts, combining USSM’s existing refining capabilities with IonicRE’s separation technology to reduce dependence on foreign mineral imports.
—Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 3 Jan. 2026
Although inflation has since eased, deep structural weaknesses — massive debt, crumbling infrastructure and near-total dependence on oil — remain firmly embedded.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 3 Jan. 2026
Domestic demand is stabilizing — but not yet expanding enough to substitute for old growth drivers or reduce dependence on exports.
—Dewardric L. McNeal, CNBC, 31 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dependence
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dependence
Noun
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People who only drink for fun are not likely to develop a dependency, Knowles said.—
Madeline Holcombe,
CNN Money,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Many Latin American nations are wary of trading one dependency for another.—
Oliver Stuenkel,
Time,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
According to the filing, Gordon developed an intense emotional reliance on ChatGPT, engaging in what the lawsuit describes as intimate exchanges that went beyond casual conversation and into deeply personal territory, a CBC News report said Wednesday.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
14 Jan. 2026
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Carney, for his part, has focused on trade, describing the trip to China as part of a move to forge new partnerships around the world to end Canada’s economic reliance on the American market.—
Ken Moritsugu,
Fortune,
14 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
In the weeks since the Reiners' deaths and their son's arrest, details of his troubled history of addiction and mental illness have been revealed or otherwise resurfaced.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
16 Jan. 2026
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Nick and his parents previously spoke candidly about Nick's troubled years struggling with drug addiction.—
Benjamin VanHoose,
PEOPLE,
15 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The image of silverhewn anchors stuck, and Diodorus’ story emphazises so many of the classic Phoenician/Carthaginian stereotypes told by their later enemies.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
15 Jan. 2026
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The sound design of his kick drums deserves special mention; rather than simple heartbeats or mere rhythmic anchors, his bass drums are dynamic agents, diving in pitch across their long sustain and decay.—
Philip Sherburne,
Pitchfork,
14 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The Mayo Clinic describes spinal stenosis as a condition where the spaces in the backbone are too small.—
Lisa Hagen,
Hartford Courant,
13 Jan. 2026
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What’s old was new again in New England, where defense has always been the backbone of a franchise whose brain was Belichick and whose heart beat with Brady’s.—
Andrew Callahan,
Boston Herald,
12 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The geologic monocline extends almost 100 miles and is surrounded by white sandstone domes, towering monoliths, and otherworldly pillars and arches.—
Evie Carrick,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Jan. 2026
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As prosecutor general, Saab has been a key legal pillar of Nicolás Maduro’s government, overseeing cases against opposition leaders, protesters, journalists and civil society activists.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
6 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Dempsey assaulted another police officer with a metal crutch, cracking his protective shield and cutting his head.—
Jeffrey Goldberg,
The Atlantic,
6 Jan. 2026
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And for every student who wants to use AI as a crutch or shortcut, there are other students who are concerned about using it responsibly, even sparingly.—
Degen Pener,
HollywoodReporter,
3 Jan. 2026
Noun
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White shoes had a big year in 2025, surpassing their role as a summer mainstay and becoming a year-round shoe staple for celebrities who wore them on and off the red carpet.—
Karla Rodriguez,
Footwear News,
7 Jan. 2026
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In the mix are Fox mainstay Gordon Ramsay, popular YouTube baker Rosanna Pansino, as well as the British duo known as Jolly, Sorted Food, Food Theorists, and Little Remy Food.—
Dade Hayes,
Deadline,
7 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dependence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dependence. Accessed 17 Jan. 2026.
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